The government of India has unveiled plans to develop a comprehensive database for migrant workers, with a focus on those operating in the informal economy. Migrant labor refers to those individuals who have moved from their usual place of residence, either within the country (internal) or beyond its borders (international). The latest official data, obtained from the 2011 Census, reveals that India hosted 45.6 crore migrant workers in 2011, comprising 38% of the population. This was a significant increase from the 31.5 crore migrants recorded in 2001, which constituted 31% of the population.
Legislative Background
The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act of 1979 mandated all establishments hiring inter-state migrant laborers, as well as recruiters, to register and obtain a license respectively. Proper enforcement of this law would have facilitated access to information on inter-state migrants, aiding relief initiatives by state agencies. However, detailed records were not kept, and data on the number of migrants was not available, impeding both central and regional government efforts. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for a comprehensive database for this demographic has become paramount.
Government Initiatives to Support Migrants
Several recent initiatives have been launched to aid retuning migrants in finding livelihoods. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) introduced the ‘Atma Nirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM)’ portal for skilful individuals seeking sustainable job opportunities. Furthermore, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) developed the online dashboard ‘National Migrant Information System (NMIS)’, a central repository for migrant laborers aiding in inter-state communication for smoother movement. Additionally, the Maharashtra Government launched the ‘Mahajobs’ portal, which facilitates connections between job seekers and potential employers.
Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rozgar Abhiyan
This initiative aims to foster local entrepreneurship and create collaborations with industrial associations, providing employment opportunities for more than 1.25 crore migrant workers impacted by the pandemic. The scheme has also enabled skill mapping of these individuals, ensuring that the employment provided aligns with their respective areas of expertise.
Causes and Patterns of Migration
Migration is spurred by a confluence of factors, encompassing not just economic considerations but also social, political, cultural, and environmental elements. These drivers are typically classified as “push” and “pull” factors. Patterns of migration can be grouped based on origin and destination: rural-rural, rural-urban, urban-rural, and urban-urban, along with intra-state and inter-state migrations.
Proposed Database Plan
The proposed database would compile data from already existing government databases to form a unique registration of migrant workers. The Aadhaar platform would be utilized to curtail issues such as duplication and ghost cards. However, the proposed database plan carries several concerns, including the collection of data of intra-state migrants, discrepancy in defining employment, technological constraints, lack of clarity over worker registration procedures, and portability of benefits across states.
Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979
This act aims to regulate the conditions of service and employment of inter-state migrant workmen. It requires establishments employing five or more migrant workmen, or contractors hiring a similar number, to register. Principal employers are prohibited from hiring inter-state workmen without certification of registration from the relevant authority. Furthermore, the act mandates that contractors recruiting workmen from one state for employment in another must obtain a license to do so.
