Centre To Redefine Migrant Workers In Proposed Social Security Law

New Delhi: The Union government is set to redefine the category of migrant workers after more than four decades as it proposes to enact a law by the end of the year on social security updating several features, according to media reports. The Labour ministry is expected to draw up the framework and present it to the Union Cabinet soon.

The Centre proposes to ensure that all migrant workers are registered and have access to social security, as also health benefits under the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The epic exodus of migrant workers from different states to their hometowns criss-crossing major parts of the country, appears to have come as a wake-up call to state governments as well as the Centre.

The categorisation of migrant labourers is expected to be done in both the formal and informal sectors. With a strong legal framework in place the rights of migrant labourers will also be secured. Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar is reported to have stated that a strong legal framework is being drawn up.

The proposed updated code on social security which had been cleared by the Standing Committee of Parliament headed by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab may be tweaked further to incorporate some changes.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a Migration Commission for migrants from the state. The chief minister is said to have observed that UP would prepare a database of migrants along with their skill sets and provide them necessary training in order to ensure that they find employment in the state itself.