NHRC research study on Social Security and Health Rights of Migrant Workers in India gives several recommendations to the Centre and State Governments

20th April, 2021

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has approved the research study on “Social Security and Health Rights of Migrant Workers in India".

The commission had entrusted this research study to the Kerala Development Society, Delhi on 18 October 2019.

The study was undertaken in two districts each of the following four States i.e. Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra. The total sample size was 4400. Out of these, 1600 were interstate migrant workers, 800 local workers, 400 employers, 800 government officials, and 800 scholars & NGO representatives.

The study through its seven objectives aimed at examining the discrimination and impediments faced by migrant workers in accessing social security and health rights; analyze laws and policies at the Centre and State levels with respect to social security and health rights of the interstate migrant workers; document the enabling factors and best practices in providing social security and health rights to them; and make recommendations with this regard to the Govt.

Some of the major recommendations that emanated for various stakeholders are as under:

• Recommendations to the Union Ministries

Ministry of Labour and Employment

1. of National Migrant Information System

2. Setting up an Inter-State Migration Council to coordinate between Central and State Governments

3. Awareness generation about schemes and facilities among interstate migrant workers.

4. A 24x7 National and State level grievance redressal helpline

Ministry of Rural Development

1. Creation of quota for migrant workers MGNREGS

2. Enhance access to National Social Assistance Programme for migrant workers.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution:

1.

1. Fast track the implementation of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’

• Recommendations to the State Governments

1. Compulsory Registration of Migrant Workers with the labour departments

2. Organize health camps for workers and encourage employers to provide comprehensive on-site health care services

3. Ensure that workplace safety system through workplace safety training and access to appropriate safety devices.

4. Ensure enrolment of migrant children in schools under the RTE Act, 2009.

5. Skill mapping and certification of migrant workers

6. Training institutions in host State or home State could provide skill training to the migrant workers.

• Recommendations to the Election Commission of India

1. Provide remote voting rights to migrant workers for constituency in their native States.

The detailed research study can be accessed from the completed research projects tab on NHRC website: nhrc.nic.in

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