The Central Government has issued an Advisory Guidelines to States Governments for the welfare of Migrant Workers returning to destination states in the backdrop of COVID-19. The 18- point Advisory was released on 8th September 2020 by the Labour Ministry of the Government of India.
Some of the key highlights of the advisory are as follows:
Ensure Enrollment of workers in social security/ welfare schemes
The Governments of Origin and destination States should enrol migrant workers in social security/ welfare schemes of the State Government/Central Government. The details of workers not covered in any of the schemes should also be shared with the Director-General of Labour Welfare via e-mail (dglw-mole@gov.in).
This data may also be forwarded to Labour authorities to facilitate compliance with the existing labour laws relating to wages, occupational safety and health and working conditions
The Governments of origin and destination States have also been advised to enrol eligible migrant workers in Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
The State Building and Other Construction Workers’ (BOCW) Boards may be encouraged to make payments towards the premium for insurance schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for eligible construction workers.
Further, the registered workers in BOCW Boards should be encouraged to enrol under Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Mandhan (PMSYM) scheme and other welfare schemes
Protection of the Health of Workers
The Government(s) of State of Origin and Destination State should ensure screening and testing of migrant workers. No such requirements should financially burden the migrant workers.
The States of Origin should provide face masks, sanitizer and soaps to the migrant workers at the time of screening before their departure to the Destination State.
The State Government are urged to undertake periodical medical examinations of the migrant workers in coordination with health departments/ESIC/Hospitals and dispensaries under the Director-General of Labour Welfare.
Further, establishments should be advised to ensure availability of adequate quantity of sanitizers, face masks, soaps at the workplace and to maintain social distancing norms.
Identification and Protection of Vulnerable Migrant Workers
A proper database of migrant workers must be maintained for this purpose. The State of Origin should collect the data in respect of migrant workers and share it with Destination States.
Provisions of ration must be ensured in time of need by the district administration under existing central/state government schemes
