With crop loss driving farmers to commit suicides and migrate to distant places in search of work in the wake of drought conditions prevailing in most parts of Odisha, the State government has warned Collectors of 11 migration-prone districts to stay alert on illegal recruitment of migrant workers.
Pointing out that illegal recruitment and subsequent harassment of inter-State migrant workmen from different parts of the State are cause of grave concern for the government, Labour Commissioner Shalini Pandit mentioned in its advisory that “in view of low rainfall in the ongoing agricultural season, there is likelihood that middlemen and agents may use this as an opportunity for illegal recruitment and movement of migrant workers.”
Ms Pandit directed Collectors of Bolangir, Khurda, Nuapada, Ganjam, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada to prevent workers from being exploited.
“Collectors are to designate a nodal officer for each railway station and bus stand in the migration-prone pockets at the district, who will keep in close touch with the station manager concerned and keep a watch on outward movement of large groups who are likely to be migrant workmen,” she maintained.
“Where such groups of workmen are detected, it is to be verified if they have been drafted legally by checking, if the labour contractor has got a valid license and each of the workers has been issued pass books as mandated under the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (RE and CS) Act, 1979,” the Labour Commissioner said.
Moreover, the district police have been directed to remain vigilant and take immediate action against labour contractors who are involved in illegal recruitment and drafting of inter-State migrant workmen. They have also been asked to extend cooperation to nodal officers. The arrangement would be kept in place and monitored in tandem with the State Action Plan for Safety and Welfare of inter-State migrant workmen till May. Nearly, three lakh people from western Odisha districts undertake distress migration and work in brick kilns in most inhospitable conditions in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
