The migrant crisis during the pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrants. Recently, the Supreme Court issued an important judgment towards the welfare of migrants. The judgment mandated a portal for the registration of all informal\/migrant workers. But to provide welfare to migrants, there is a need for a clear policy framework and greater commitment from the government.<\/p>\n
The migrants\u2019 crisis during the first and second waves affected millions of migrants.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court finally delivered its judgment on the plight of migrant labour on June 29. The judgment was limited in scope, confined to the framework of existing social security schemes, but it was notable for two main reasons.<\/p>\n
Nearly a decade and a half ago, the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS)<\/strong> had pointed out that the circular migrant workers were a disadvantaged segment among informal workers<\/strong>. At present, these\u00a0migrant workers comprise nearly 60 percent of occupationally vulnerable workers outside agriculture.<\/p>\n Recommendation of NCEUS:<\/strong><\/p>\n In drafting the Unorganised Workers\u2019 Social Security Act, which was approved by Parliament in December 2008, and took out the mandatory elements<\/strong> of the NCEUS\u2019s proposals. Such as National Minimum Social Security Package and Mandatory registration<\/strong>. Instead, the Act includes provisions like,<\/p>\n But the recent Supreme Court judgment may well now push the government towards mandatory registration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
Unorganised Workers\u2019 Social Security Act, 2008<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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