No exodus of migrants inErnakulam out of scare

‘Some might have left following fall in construction activities’

Amidst reports that migrant workers are leaving the State in the wake of rumours of their persecution, the market for migrant labourers in Ernakulam remains by and large stable.

“Some of them might have left the local market, but that is in no way connected to the ongoing scare campaign. The reason is purely economic — a general fall in construction and production activities in the post-GST period,” observed Binoy Peter, Executive Director, Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID).

Reports refuted

The police in Ernakulam rural district, home to a large number of migrants, have refuted reports of the campaign driving out the migrants.

“After the initial hustle, the campaign seems to have lost its momentum and they have well moved ahead of it,” said a top officer with the Ernakulam Rural police.

Meeting held

The other day, District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla convened a meeting at the Collectorate here to discuss the issue and issued a warning to those engaging in such misinformation campaign. The Collector promised to hold adalats modelled on the lines of mass contact programmes to address the complaints of migrants.