Advocating for Rights of Migrants During COVID-19 Pandemic

By Sujata Jena, SS.CC.

In a country like India, although there are many legislations and schemes which are pro-poor but for the poor to get them is an uphill task. They have to fight at every level to get the meager amount. The government generally does not listen to the voice of the poor and marginalized unless concerned citizens from civil societies become their voices.

During this pandemic, I had a chance to be alive to the struggles of the migrants and be a voice. Their brief smile fills my heart. I am happy to share with you some of my interventions in ensuring the rights and dignity of the poor migrants of India during this time.

To ensure rights of migrant laborers (Leave with wages)

 On June 12, 2020 a grievance petition was registered at the office of Labor Commissioner Government of Kerala on behalf of 10 migrant workers from Kalahandi district of Odisha. The employer of FRIENDS CRUSHERS, Area code, Kerala had locked the migrants in a room, snatched the ATMs of the workers, didn’t allow them to return to their home state. With the intervention of Kerala labor department, the employer freed the workers, paid their due wages as well as made their travel arrangements immediately.

To ensure free and safe transportation to the migrant workers

On June 17,2020 on behalf of 300 guest workers from Odisha a plea was submitted to the Labor Commissioner Government of Kerala to enable and arrange return of the migrant labors from Kerala to their home states, Odisha. Upon receiving the request, the Labor department run a special Shramik train. The Odiya guest workers along with other workers stranded in different districts of Kerala were able to travel without paying and reached their destination safely.

To ensure fundamental rights (Right to Freedom)

On July 10, 2020, an FIR was registered at the local police station on behalf of a poor Christian family in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The family faced discrimination from the Hindus in the village for not being able to pay a monetary contribution for a Hindu festival.

The villagers had isolated the family while putting thorny fences around their small hut. They were deprived of water, sanitation, and food groceries from the local market. The police in-charge visited the village and released the family from unjust punishment.

Directed a ‘duty bearer’ to discharge his assigned duty properly

On July 18, a formal notice was sent to an officer-in-charge (Covid-19 controller, Odisha) who issues e-pass for travel during the lockdown. The notice was sent to direct him to perform his duty efficiently without making unnecessary delays in his duty. Jayshree Uthansingh is such a girl who was the victim of the negligence of the officer’s duty. The officer-in-charge did not acknowledge the receipt of her application nor did he attend any phone calls made by the girl for 15 days.

To ensure payment of wages

On July 19, 2020, a grievance petition was filed on behalf Gaja Takri and 10 other migrant laborers who were not paid by the employer for 15 days. The employer was directed to pay back the full arrears meant for the workers urgently. The workers were happy to receive their due wages as that was their only source to feed their stomach.

Protection of the rights of a poor migrant (Car Accident)

On July 21, 2020, on behalf of Krishna Khaklari, who met with an accident, an appeal was made to the labor commissioner of Kerala to arrange for him a free ambulance to return to his home state (Assam) and be treated in the presence of his family.

In the accident, Khaklari had lost an eye, suffered injuries in the outer skull. Since no FIR was lodged the government was indifferent to the case. The Labor Commissioner finally sponsored the cost of his transportation and ensured safe travel to his home state.

Advocacy for the entitlement of the migrants

After receiving complaints from the migrant workers that their children did not receive incentives promised by the government a press released was published on July 22, 2020. It recommended to the government to straighten up the unfair dealings of the local authorities in releasing Rs. 2000 for the migrant workers. The case was tabled at the secretariat of the government. As a result, the government directed the local officers to release the money meant for the migrants regardless of age and place of birth.

Advocacy for the safe transportation of the migrants

On July 29, 2020, free local transportation was arranged for the migrant workers who returned from Kerala to Odisha with the coordination of district administrators of Rayagada district, Odisha.

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Sujata Jena is a member of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Congregation. She is an advocate and social activist. She has worked among Dalit and tribal women, children, and youth of the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal. She also writes on on religious and social issues.