Relevance : GS Paper II
Introduction
The total earning of India’s internal migrant workers is around 6% of India’s GDP.
The sad state of Affairs
- The migrant population in India is riddled with inadequate housing; low-paid, insecure or hazardous work, etc.
- Furthermore, there are mental health issues.
- Fund constituted by cess on builders lies grossly underutilised.
Way forward
- Trade unions are the best way for the workers to benefit from government welfare schemes.
- Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (1979) needs improvement.
- Civil society organisations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives; government schemes provide rays of hope.
- Multi-level reforms with legally binding implementation protocols are required.
Conclusion
We need to improve the conditions of migrant workers live through various quick reforms.
