States have started plans for new industrial policies in line with the Centre's advisory, comprehensive labour welfare plans, particularly about migrant workers living in industrial zones.

Centre Plans to Grant Houses for Industrial Workers

Gujarat's new industrial policy began on Saturday with dormitory housing for migrants near industrial zones under State and central urban housing schemes as well as others working on similar policies that people have heard about the development.

A robust ecosystem needs to be created, which promotes improved efficiency and quality. The incorporation of this facility in common infrastructure would promote this scheme in order to raise financial support.

Special incentives for associations to build such dormitory homes in industrial clusters shall be given under the new industrial policies. The inclusion of this facility in the common infrastructure will be encouraged to extend financial support. However, the association must first make use of incentives available under various State or central government schemes.

At the first two phases of the Covid-19 lockdown, almost three million migrant workers had left states. Many of these workers have begun to return when the industry is recovering. The Center had written to all states in the first week of August suggesting that welfare measures for labour in their investments and industrial policies be included or have, at least, a plan.

Proposed Labour Welfare Measures

The 18-point advisory detailed measures suggest to give workers coming from states better working conditions by ensuring decent work standards, safety at work and social security. Also, states have to conduct a vulnerability mapping of migrant workers, include the names of workers and their families in the flagship health and housing schemes of the Centre. 

States were asked to submit directly to the labour commissioner a list of those migrant workers who are not enrolled in the government's welfare schemes and to monitor their enrolment process. The government has requested migrant workers both the origin and destination states be enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat scheme and insurance schemes implemented by the Centre. It also asked States to empower employers to comply with every law, especially in terms of their wages, living conditions and safety, when dealing with the workers.

Some industrial experts stated that the government has already begun to think about possible ways to explore housing facilities for migrant workers in the State. It is working on a sustainable solution at the request of the big companies that employ a large number of staff. Some builders who work in affordable housing have accepted and are involved in the workplace now, and both buyers and sellers have been in touch to make it possible.

State governments are called upon to enact labour flexibility initiatives, but there is no national migration policy. In 1992, the National Committee on Rural Labor had proposed that the national policy on migrant workers should be formulated, but no study has been done. This should be in accordance with the Code for Jobs, Health and Safety.

It is expected that current regulations would provide housing for inter-state migrant workers.

By: Shailaja K