Amid the Covid-19 pandemic which affects each and every citizen of India, the migrant labourers have faced severe hardships. A migrant can be defined as a worker who with the sole purpose of earning a living migrates to a particular region usually away from his home. These workers are often the primary bread winners of their household and a few months without deprived them of income, food and uncertainty about their future.
There are an estimated 139 million migrants in the country of India. The International Labour Organisation has predicted that about 400 million workers workers will be poverty stricken. These daily wage workers are denied adequate healthcare, nutrition, housing and sanitation since many of them belong to the informal sector. Moreover, there is no central registry of migrant workers despite the existence of Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979. All a labourer wants at this moment is safety and means to survive.
The government reports suggest that India has adequate food grains stored to feed the poor for one and a half years. However, the distribution has been sluggish and large amounts of labourers are left helpless due to absence of Aadhar cards. In mid-April, the migrants raised the cry to go back home. On 1st May, the government launched the Shramik Special trains for the stranded. It was disappointing to see that the workers were at many occasions charged and basic amenities like food and water were not provided by the Indian Railways. A staggering 80 people have died on these trains between 9th May and 27th May.
The labourers upon reaching home were treated with a class bias, being hosed down with disinfectant and soap solutions. People regarded them as CORONA CARRIERS.The number of special trains has suddenly reduced inspite of the demand being high. Most of the economic reforms for the poor have only long term affects. The migrants need protection immediately. The government had announced free food grain supply for two months to 8 crore workers. However, only 20 lakh people have received the free food grains till now.
A survey shows eight out of ten workers were not even paid their salaries for March for which they worked. The capitalists have failed to realise their duty towards the engine of our economy. The migrants have had enough. Helping them in any way is essential because they are the backbone of every sector.
Labourers have no resources to survive.
We, the fortunate must do our best to keep them alive.
If we come together and united we are,
The end of this crisis won’t be far.
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