The Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently unveiled “ShramShakti,” a National Migration Support Portal to facilitate the design and implementation of programs at the state and national level for migrant workers. Alongside “ShramSaathi,” a training manual was introduced, providing essential skills and knowledge for migrant laborers.
Distinctive Features of the ShramShakti Portal
ShramShakti was launched to accumulate data pertaining to tribal migrant workers and connect them with existing welfare schemes. Details that will be logged in Shram Shakti include demographic profiles, livelihood options, skill mapping, and migration patterns. The idea is to empower workers who often migrate in search of employment opportunities and income stability.
Objectives of the ShramShakti Portal
The primary objective of the portal is to bridge the data gap encountered when dealing with migrant issues. Having such an information pool helps both national and state governments devise effective strategies, policy decisions, and enhances welfare for migrant workers at their origin and destination states.
Moreover, this platform will address various issues faced by migrants, like trafficking, wage harassment issues, workplace occupational threats, among others. Importantly, this portal will link the migrant populace with the existing Welfare Schemes under Atamnirbhar Bharat.
Recent Government Initiatives to Support Migrant Workers
Several initiatives have been launched recently to assist migrant workers:
– ASEEM Portal: This portal developed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is designed to help skilled individuals find sustainable means of living.
– NMIS Dashboard: The National Disaster Management Authority created an online dashboard to maintain a centralized repository of migrant workers, thereby fostering inter-state communication and facilitating smoother transitions for workers moving back to their native locations.
– Labour Laws Amalgamation into Codes: Numerous labour laws have been consolidated into four labour codes aiming at facilitating industrialization nationwide and checking distress labour migration ultimately.
Initiatives for Tribal Welfare
Several initiatives have been launched specifically looking at tribal welfare:
– Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY): A market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program aimed at forming clusters of tribal SHGs (Self Help Groups) and reinforcing them into Tribal Producer Companies.
– Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs): These schools were launched in the year 1997-98 to provide quality middle and high-level education to ST children residing in remote areas.
– The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED): Established in 1987, TRIFED is a national-level apex organization operating under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It promotes tribal art & craft, handlooms and sets up tribal community-owned Minor Forest Produce (MFP)-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
These collective efforts and initiatives aim to elevate the living standards of migrant workers and tribal populations, ensuring they have access to opportunities on par with the urban population. However, the continuing challenges these communities face highlight the necessity for more sustained and impactful efforts.