The laborers – men, women, and children – are the classic nowhere citizens of India. The major share of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is borne out of the toil of the labour class, but, for many years, they have been marginalized when it comes to the fruits of their labor. They have no rights and entitlements in the areas in which they work. Being from the poorest and socially discriminated groups, they also don’t possess any entitlements in the villages, to which they belong. There are no firm estimates of their numbers.
Data[1] shows that these migrant workers mainly belong from rural areas in poor regions and States and belong to the poorest-economic class. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are over-represented among them. They mainly predominate in such activities that are mainly characterized by the three Ds – dirty, dangerous, and difficult-and consistently face – discrimination, that is, fourth D. They are accustomed to daily work to earn their living.
COVID-19, a “once-in-a-century pandemic” has thrown into stark relief the intersectional invisible sections of Indian society, especially the migrant community. The lockdown has increased their pre-existing disadvantages, in the form of inequalities, discrimination, and anxieties.
Despite the best efforts by the government, while seeing the present uncertain circumstances, it is inevitable that in a diverse country like India, social inequalities and vulnerabilities will erupt alongside the pandemic. With the government’s sudden decision of lockdown, wages related to already carried out jobs remained unpaid. A large percentage of migrants remained burdened with the debts taken in the form of advances from their employers, contractors, or landlords, making them more financially vulnerable because of indebtedness. These workers can’t stay at a place, without work. Out of them, many are sole – breadwinner of their family. Their families back home depend upon their earnings and savings. A considerable number of workers live on the premises, in which they work, like, manufacturing units, worksites, etc. This lockdown resulted in the loss of their accommodation.
According to the estimates[2], nearly 139 million migrants in India are excluded from urban planning. Often, while making urban planning policies, they are generally ignored, thereby forcing them to intersectional invisibility.
When it comes to urban migrant workers, the extension of lockdown, have intersected with their existing vulnerabilities. They were ill-prepared to stay back or to get back to their native homes. However, many of them have preferred to go back. With the public transport being stopped, they were left with no option, other then that to walk mind-boggling distances or to remain on the way.
It is imperative that the Union and State governments have set up a special task force to deal with this matter. Large public places, like, stadiums, public halls, and educational institutions are identified to provide shelter to them. Food and medical assistance is provided through government funds, Non- profit organizations (NGO’s) and other local voluntary groups. The social policy must be established, to address the basic needs of this sector, not only during pandemics but for all times, to meet the contingent situations. Socio-economic, including the right to work, have always been part of our Directive Principles of State Policy[3]. By enacting the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), in 2005, the Parliament of India had made a specific and significant provision by providing the opportunity to work, to the citizens.
The Supreme Court on 9 June 2020 directed the Central and State Governments to finish the process of transporting migrants, who want to go back to their native place, within 15 days and also formulate employment schemes, after conducting skill mapping, to rehabilitate them. The top court has ordered to withdraw all police complaints against migrant workers who have been booked for violating lockdown norms while attempting to get back home from their places of work. The matter has been fixed for hearing, on 8 July 2020.
While taking the Supreme Court’s decision into consideration, the fund of Rs. 50,000 crores has been allocated for Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan.
Because disasters provide opportunities to correct the structural wrongs. The fight against the pandemic can only be win on the foundation, that is inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory. Let us not forget that Victor Hugo, a French poet, said that:
“ The paradise of the rich is made out of the hell of the poor. “
References:
[1] National Sample Survey and the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS)
[2] Economic Survey of India, 2017
[3] Part IV, Articles 39-43 of Constitution of India, 1950.
0 Comments