State Action Plan for Safety and Welfare of Inter-State Migrant Workers

State Action Plan for Safety and Welfare of Inter-State Migrant Workers

Migration of workers from Odisha to other States, occurs primarily from the districts of undivided Bolangir, Koraput and Kalahandi (known as KBK Districts). At present, 14 districts have been identified as migration prone districts in Odisha. To initiate interventions at the grassroots level, Govt. of Odisha is implementing a State Action Plan to track the migrant worker at GP level, strengthen inter-state coordination and ensure linkage with livelihood initiatives and welfare schemes

The focus of State Action Plan is to ensure safety and welfare of migrant workers through (i) tracking of migrant workers at GP level by developing a database (ii) convergence of various departments to link migrant workers with welfare schemes of the Govt. for reducing distress migration. (iii) mechanism in place for coordination between States to improve worksite facilities & facilitate rescue where it is needed and (iv) creating and enabling environment for safe and informed migration through IEC and enforcement of Inter State Migrant Workmen (RE & CS) Act, 1979.

• The Shramik Sahayata Toll Free Helpline Number- 18003456703 for migrant workers has been operational 24 x 7.
• “E-Shramik Samadhan” system for migrant workers has been operational since January 2020 after inauguration by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. 
• >Seasonal Hostels have been operational for the children of migrant workers in the districts of Bolangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Khordha. Financial support has been extended to School & Mass Education Department for ensuring joyful learning in the hostels.
• Convergence with the Superintendent of Police for 14 migration prone district with working plan for preventing illegal recruitment of migrant workers.
• Survey of migrant workers in 90 migration prone GPs of Bolangir and Nuapada has been completed by National Law University, Odisha

Reducing Distress Migration in Odisha :- Special Package announced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister :

• A Special Package have been announced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha in January 2020 to strengthen socio-economic standards of migrant workers and gradual reduction in distress in migration prone 477 GPs of 20 blocks in the districts of Bolangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Nuapada. Following are the components of the Special Package of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha.
  • Employment under MGNREGA will be allowed for 200 days in a year.
  • Wages under MGNREGA will be given at par with minimum wage of State meant for unskilled workers.
  • State Corpus Fund of Rs.500 Cr has been created to ensure timely and un-interrupted payment under MGNREGA
  • All GPs in the 20 blocks will be covered as Intensive GPs under Odisha Livelihood Mission. Each Family will be brought under SHG fold. Financial assistance from Community Investment Fund (CIF) and Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF) will be extended to these SHGs.
  • Any person in distress can approach the local BDO for availing assistance from Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF).
  • All SHG members will be covered under Insurance.
  • Identified SHGs in these 20 blocks will be declared as Banking Correspondents in order to make availability to cash to the distressed migrant workers.
  • One eligible youth from every household (18 to 35 years) will be covered under Placement Linked Skill Development Programme.
  • All eligible households will be provided with pucca houses.
  • Special drive for all eligible construction workers for their registration under Odisha Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board and will be given marriage assistance, pension, education assistance and pucca houses along with other admissible benefits.
  • Deployment of Shramik Mitra (Focal point for migrant workers in the GP) will be done for all GPs.
  • District / State level MIS will be in place to track migrant workers and ensure linkage with welfare schemes.
  • Comprehensive communication strategy will be prepared for behaviour change communication in these areas.