Invisible Workers

The Brickfield School Project under Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre had organised for the very first time the Convergence Meet on Safe Migration on the 28th March 2019 along with Caritas India as the Knowledge Partner.

This consultation was a platform where most of the like-minded NGOs of Kolkata and eminent speakers from leading Social Development and Government Officials shared their inputs and views on a broader scale on the aspects of Safe Migration. We were honoured to have with us Smt GL Tshering , Joint Secretary, Labour Department, Government of West Bengal as the Keynote Speaker.

Smt GL Tshering , Joint Secretary, Labour Department, Government of West Bengal said that there is need to have convergence between different government departments such as education, health and labour departments and also between NGOs who are working on the issue. She extended her full support in promoting workers rights.

The main objective of the meeting was to influence the policy makers to implement inter/ State or Inter-Country Migration strategy for the unskilled labourers of India for safe migration and to develop a strategic plan for advocacy. Many of the representatives highlighted some of the most alarming issues and causes of Migration and how we could act upon and address it.

The migrant workers are not covered under the government schemes at the destination as they do not have any ID proof. This makes them very vulnerable. Right to Education Act promises compulsory elementary education from 6 to 14 years of age children. But children of the migrant workers are denied the right to education.

Representatives from NGOs shared their views and thoughts which were brought together for an effective way forward. This one-day meet has addressed the gaps and issues related to unsafe migration and need to build a strong network to promote safe migration, workers’ rights and prevent human trafficking. It was decided to present a status report on the situation of the migrant workers to labour, education and WCD departments to take the appropriate action to address their challenges. KMWSC run bridge course could be affiliated by the Education Department for enrolling the children in the schools in source and destination.