A Study On Migrant Laborers During Covid-19

V.C.Megha & S. Harish Kumar, B.A.,L.L.B (Hons), Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, SIMATS

ABSTRACT

The migrant workers in India, despite being largely vulnerable in terms of physical and internal health, have remained the backbone of the Indian economy. Nonetheless, the recent lockdown situation created by the epidemic has put them in a more precarious condition. On one hand, they've lost their jobs and earnings, while on the other, they didn't have enough finances to survive at the place of migration. During the outbreak of contagious conditions, such as COVID-19, and the restrictions assessed on routine conditioning as part of social distancing morals to help the spread of COVID, migratory workers moved back to their native places. Numerous of them were still stuck at borders, including state, quarter and at public border areas. Immediate enterprises faced by similar migratory workers relate to food, shelter, healthcare, fear of getting infected or spreading the infection, loss of paycheck, enterprises about the family, anxiety and fear. All this calls for strong social protection. As an immediate response, measures to be taken should include, icing community harbors and community kitchens, making other relief material available, emphasising on the need for social distancing, identification of suspected cases of infection and adherence to protocols for operation of similar cases, putting up mechanisms to enable them reach to the family members through telephone, video calls etc. and ensuring their physical safety. The migrant laborers were the most affected during the COVID-19 and it is concluded by stating that the migratory workers who largely depend on their day-to-day earning had literally nothing to fall back on. The epidemic has given us a graphic description of how, by not celebrating one of the most working and hardworking classes and by compromising their dignity, and life, we've failed as a society which is the main objective of this research, the hardships faced by them. The government implemented the guidelines and measures were taken by the Ministry of Labour & Employment and thus the government should ensure that the programmes are effectively implemented.

Keywords: Migrant, COVID-19, Contagious, Paycheck, Social protection