TMC MP Yusuf Pathan visits residence of deceased migrant labourer in Bengal's Beldanga

The news of TMC MP Yusuf Pathan visiting the family of a deceased migrant labourer in Beldanga, West Bengal, and the subsequent establishment of helpline numbers by the District Administration for migrant workers, brings to the forefront the critical and often overlooked issue of internal migration in India. This incident, while local, encapsulates the broader challenges faced by millions of migrant workers who are the backbone of India's informal economy.

**Background Context:** India has one of the largest numbers of internal migrants globally, estimated to be around 140 million by some studies before the COVID-19 pandemic. States like West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan are significant source states, while Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are major destination states. These workers migrate primarily in search of better economic opportunities, driven by rural distress, lack of local employment, and agricultural dependence. They often work in sectors like construction, manufacturing, hospitality, domestic help, and agriculture, typically in precarious conditions with low wages, long hours, and little to no social security or legal protection. The plight of these workers was starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when millions were forced to undertake arduous journeys back to their home states, exposing the systemic vulnerabilities and lack of safety nets.

**What Happened:** The specific incident involves a political representative, TMC MP Yusuf Pathan, acknowledging the tragedy of a deceased migrant worker. Such visits are significant as they draw public and administrative attention to individual cases, often leading to a localized response. In this instance, the District Administration of West Bengal responded by setting up dedicated helpline numbers. This is a crucial step towards providing a formal channel for grievance redressal and assistance for migrant workers from Bengal who are employed outside the state, indicating a recognition of their vulnerability and the state's responsibility towards them.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

* **Migrant Workers and their Families:** They are the most vulnerable stakeholders, facing economic hardship, social exclusion, and often exploitation. Their families bear the brunt of any tragedy, such as the death of a sole earning member.

* **Political Representatives (e.g., TMC MP Yusuf Pathan):** Politicians play a vital role in amplifying the voices of the marginalized, advocating for their rights, and pressuring administrations for action. Their visits often have symbolic importance and can trigger administrative responses, especially in an election-conscious democracy.

* **District Administration/State Government (West Bengal):** As custodians of governance, they are responsible for the welfare of their citizens, including those residing outside the state temporarily. Establishing helplines is a direct administrative intervention aimed at providing support and a point of contact.

* **Employers/Contractors:** Though not directly mentioned, they are crucial indirect stakeholders. Their practices often dictate the working conditions and welfare provisions for migrant workers.

**Why This Matters for India:** This incident underscores several critical aspects for India. Firstly, it highlights the pressing need for robust social security and welfare mechanisms for the unorganized sector, especially migrant workers. Secondly, it emphasizes the role of responsive governance and the importance of accessible grievance redressal systems. Economically, migrant workers contribute significantly to both sending and receiving states' economies through remittances and labor supply, respectively. Ensuring their well-being is not just a humanitarian concern but also an economic imperative. Politically, migrant issues are increasingly becoming part of electoral discourse, forcing parties to address their concerns. Socially, it addresses issues of dignity, human rights, and equitable development.

**Historical Context:** The issue of internal migration has roots in India's post-independence development model, which saw uneven industrialization and agricultural growth. While the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act was enacted in 1979 to protect migrant workers, its implementation has been historically weak. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a watershed moment, exposing the deep fissures in India's social security architecture for migrants and prompting renewed discussions on policy reforms.

**Future Implications:** The establishment of helplines by the West Bengal administration could be a step towards a more comprehensive state-level policy for migrant welfare. Ideally, such initiatives should be integrated with broader national policies. Future implications include potential for better inter-state coordination on migrant welfare, improved implementation of labor laws, and the development of portable social security benefits (like the 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme, which aims to provide food security irrespective of location). However, challenges remain in ensuring awareness, accessibility, and effective resolution through these helplines, as well as the need for more substantial policy changes related to housing, education, and healthcare for migrant families. This incident could also spur other states to adopt similar proactive measures, leading to a more robust national framework for migrant labor protection.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, or Policies:**

* **Article 19(1)(d) & (e):** Guarantees the right to move freely throughout the territory of India and to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, crucial for migrant workers.

* **Article 21:** Guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, which includes the right to a dignified life, safe working conditions, and livelihood.

* **Article 23:** Prohibits forced labor and human trafficking, relevant given the exploitation faced by many migrants.

* **Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):**

* **Article 39:** Directs the State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people.

* **Article 41:** Enjoins the State to make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.

* **Article 42:** Directs the State to make provision for just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.

* **Article 43:** Calls for securing a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life, and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities for all workers.

* **Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979:** This central legislation aims to regulate the employment of inter-state migrant workmen and provide for their conditions of service. However, its implementation has been a challenge.

* **Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008:** Aims to provide social security to unorganized workers, though its reach to highly mobile migrant populations remains limited.

* **Code on Social Security, 2020:** One of the four new labor codes, it aims to consolidate and amend laws relating to social security with provisions for gig workers and platform workers, and potentially better coverage for migrant workers, though its implementation is awaited.

* **One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme:** A significant policy initiative launched in 2019, enabling portability of ration cards across states, ensuring food security for migrants irrespective of their location.