Fight against Covid-19: Has India failed its internal migrants

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The author of this blog is Abhishek Iyer 3rd Year B.A.-LL.B. Student at Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar.

Earlier in March, World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a ‘Global Pandemic´. Ministry of Home Affairs in India in May, announced the third phase of nationwide lockdown which started on 25^th March owing to the widespread of COVID-19. Lockdown which has entered its 3^rd phase is due to end on 17^th May, 2020. When the world is reeling under an economic crisis, India is no less. In the backdrop of the above developments and overall disruption of the supply chain globally, job losses peak at about 12 crore layoffs owing to this pandemic. Amidst inter-state travel ban and non-operational flights, trains, and buses, stand migrant workers devoid of jobs and means to travel home, with cash fast running out. Migrant workers now set home, walking hundreds of miles without guarantee of food, shelter, and money.

Political agenda in times of crisis?

India’s issue with displaced internal migrants is predicted to be at a mammoth 40 million people. Supreme Court of India had earlier directed the government to look into this crisis with priority and ensure shelter camps are set up for all stranded labourers, along with financial support. Despite announcing a $ 22.6 billion economic stimulus plan, the government is marred by insufficient data of workers in both organised and unorganised sector which is failing them big time from extending the essentials. This financial aid is seen to help about 800 million people but a huge portion of which are unregistered & without documents, leaving no means of contacting. While many people have raised a helping hand to reduce the plight of migrants, but this issue is far from being resolved, with enlarging protests across major cities and increasing deaths of migrant workers. These workers out on the street, fighting the battle of life without resources are being resorted to brutal use of force.

Internal migrants make up about 20% of the workforce in India and they contribute an estimated 10% of India's economic output. Since March 24^th, number of businesses have closed down leaving migrant workers on the docks with no alternative except returning home. These workers do not have any formal contracts and are very vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It doesn’t end here as the larger array of India’s workforce without money and resources to survive is far from being fought. A survey conducted by Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) highlights the plight of these workers. About 78% of them have not been paid any salary since the lockdown. The ‘Politics and Society Between Elections Survey’  found that out average estimated earnings of about 22% wagers range between 2000-5000Rs. Per month. This data shows how bleak their condition is and we can reasonably foresee what could go through them to not earn for 2 months in lockdown. Government and the opposition dig the hole to ploy politics and dump blame, nobody cares for their welfare. While the government has credit money for over 4.07 crore women under its Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) which comes as a relief for several poor households, but its welfare concerning migrants is seen to be relatively discouraging. Losses of farmers, flower field workers is estimated at about 50,000Rs. Per month due to wastage and no sale. How does the government justify a support of meagre 500Rs. Per month?

The government in its report is said to have set up 22,567 shelter camps for migrants but 65% of such shelters are operated in the state of Kerala alone, which leads to an imbalance when compared to other states, who are doing dismal work. Another major setback was the Supreme Court denying any need for payment to migrant workers, citing sufficient food was being distributed, while the ground reality was poor arrangements for food, shelter and necessities. Delhi state government’s efforts to set up public feeding centres and large scale shelters come as a positive move that other states should learn, in order to curtail the exodus of migrants. Delhi government has also led by example when it comes to extending financial support. In April, the government supported these workers with a contribution of 5000Rs., which is now going to be repeated in May. The central government meanwhile continues to balance, the curb of COVID-19 and manage the movement of these workers which can also prove risky and fatal to masses. It is as if, the government is blindfolded with the existing circumstances and, all the workers could do was trust the government and die of hunger.

Conclusion – Did we fail our migrants?

There were no signs of lifting movement restrictions until almost 35 days later, on 29^th April when the government finally  allowed movement of migrant workers stranded at different places. No economic stimulus for the larger benefit, most migrants continue to walk, cycle and use different alternate methods facing extreme conditions to reach home. While some thankfully, State has run trains and buses which now ply on their journey to bring back labourers who by this time are largely shattered and broke with the only want of returning home. We may say as of 11^th May, 2020 more than 365 trains have made their journey taking approx. 400k migrants back to their home state. No, this isn’t something astounding, for the centre is already too late to the party and has comfortably ignore the poor to try and keep up with their capitalist political approach. The battle is not won by the migrants yet, as they pay for their travel back home. Despite no savings or food to eat, government continues to ploy its political agenda while charging for train tickets, that these migrant workers marred by uncertainties seek to return home. Only time will tell if these migrants return to take field sometime later this year, to help us build and regain our economy. The privileged class will continue to exploit them with the new labour laws coming into picture which allows industries to work for longer hours. While India might have ‘gone quite ahead’ to win the war against COVID-19 but, India has certainly failed to secure the basics for its internal migrants who are the frontline warriors of its economic DNA.