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Source: The post promises made by political parties for migrant workers in India has been created, based on the article “Making space for migrants in manifestos” published in “The Hindu” on 29th April 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1-population and associated issues; urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.
News: The article discusses the promises made by political parties in their election manifestos concerning migrant workers in India. It highlights their plans to address the needs and challenges faced by migrants, such as employment, social security, and legal rights, while noting some overlooked issues.
For details information on India’s migration issues read Article 1, Article 2,
What are the challenges faced by migrants?
Migrants often lack proper documentation, making them invisible and unable to access government services.
Migrants are misunderstood about the benefits of registration on platforms like e-Shram.
Migrant workers, typically daily wagers, face exploitative work conditions.
Critical needs such as healthcare, housing, and education for migrant children are often overlooked in policy planning.
The specific challenges faced by women and young migrants, such as safety and sanitation, are not adequately addressed.
What promises have political parties made for migrants in India?
BJP’s Promises:
Utilization of the e-Shram portal to better connect with and support migrant workers. This comes after the establishment of a national database of unorganized workers as directed by the Supreme Court.
Enhancement of Special Train Services for migrants, aiming to maintain these services throughout the year to facilitate easier movement across states.
Implementation of digital technologies in post office savings, and social security measures, although there are concerns about digital literacy and infrastructure.
Congress’ Promises:
Introduction of a law to regulate migrant employment and ensure fundamental legal and social security rights.
Proposal to increase the wage under MGNREGA to ₹400 per day, with plans to maintain it as the national minimum wage.
Launch of an urban employment scheme that could benefit urban migrants and enforcement of ‘Same Work, Same Wages‘ to prevent gender-based wage discrimination.
What are the shared challenges noted in both manifestos?
Overlooked Critical Areas: Both manifestos fail to address essential services such as healthcare, housing, water, sanitation, and legal aid for migrants.
Education for Migrant Children: The need for educational support for children of migrants is not specifically tackled in either manifesto.
Public Health Inclusion: Neither party has detailed plans for integrating migrants into public health schemes, which is crucial for their well-being.
Inadequate Specificity for Women and Youth: There is a lack of focused initiatives addressing the unique challenges faced by women and young migrants in both manifestos.
Question for practice:
Examine the challenges faced by migrant workers in India and the promises made by political parties in their election manifestos to address these challenges.
