Ministry of Labour & Employment
Meeting with States/UTs to review the status of
preparedness in respect of migrant workers keeping
in view of the surge in cases of Covid
There is no exodus of workers, especially migrant
labour- State Labour Commissioners
Over 21 crore unorganized workers registered on e-
Shram – Secretary, Labour & Employment
Twenty one Monitoring Centers have been activated
across the country
Posted On: 13 JAN 2022 5:10PM by PIB Delhi
In view of the prevailing pandemic situation arising out of Omicron variant, Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary,
Ministry of Labour & Employment chaired a Co-ordination Meeting with States/UTs on 12.01.2022 through
video conferencing, to take stock of the preparedness of the States/ UTs in respect of workers in general &
Migrant Workers in particular. Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries of State Labour
Departments and Labour Commissioners of all the States/UTs and officers of Ministry of Railway and
Department of Food and Public Distribution participated in the meeting.
State Governments informed that barring night curfews and weekend curfews at few places in some
States/UTs where the number of Covid cases are rising, there were no restrictions on construction activities,
business activities, running of shops and industrial activities in the country. So far, there is no report of
unusual movement of migrant workers at present owing to the limited restrictions imposed by the
Governments. Some media reports of mass exodus regarding movement of migrant workers to their home
States were found to be untrue and it was also noticed that such reporting was based on old photographs. As
on the day of review, the business situation is normal throughout the country except 50% restrictions on
workforce at some places.
The Central as well as the State governments are keeping a close watch on the situation and fully ready and
prepared to tackle the situation as per demand of the situation. Some State Governments have already made
plans for distributing dry rations to the needy labourers, if required. Some have made preparations to provide
financial assistance from the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) cess fund and Social
Security fund available with the States. Railways is also keeping a very close watch on the situation
particularly at the major railway stations like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Secundrabad
etc. and ready to provide special trains in case the situation demands. All the States/UTs have been advised to
keep a close liaison with the local Railway Authorities.
State Labour Commissioners confirmed that the functioning at construction sites, factories and establishment
has remained undisrupted and there is no exodus of workers, especially migrant workers, back to their home
states. The State Governments are keeping a close watch to look after the interests of the migrant workers and
are fully ready to provide all assistance to prevent any hardships to the workers. Both the labour supplying
states and the labour receiving States were advised by the Secretary to work in close coordination to tackle
any migrant workers’ situation if need arises.
It was also pointed out by Secretary, that over 21 crore unorganised workers have registered themselves on e-
Shram Portal. All the State/UT Governments were requested to put in place a mechanism to maintain a record
of the migrant workers and register all the remaining workers who have not registered themselves on the e-
Shram Portal as yet. This will facilitate the State Governments to plan and deliver financial and other benefits
to them at appropriate time.
Twenty one Monitoring Centers have been activated across the country by Office of Chief Labour
Commissioner (Central). Toll free helplines have been opened by the States. Director of the
Department of Food and Public Distribution informed that there is no unusual spurt seen under One
Nation One Ration Card as far as ration pick up is concerned. The States/ UTs were also requested
to maintain records of returnee migrant workers, if any. The States have also been asked to be
wary of rumour mongering on exodus and take quick steps to counter such rumours. They were
advised to reassure migrant workers regarding their safety, security and livelihood.
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HRK
(Release ID: 1789690)
