Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Host and migrant) that was published in Newsband

Host and migrant

Every third person in Kerala is a migrant worker from outside the State. Along with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Kerala is experiencing a massive influx of migrant workers into its emerging urban areas and its hinterland. High wages, and the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour due to high education levels and migration from the State to West Asian countries, make Kerala an attractive destination for workers from north, central and north-eastern India.

Kerala has begun work on a piece of legislation specifically focused on migrant workers. Tentatively titled the Kerala Migrant Workers (Conditions of Service and Compulsory Registration) Social Security Bill, the proposed law could turn out to be yet another model from the State for the rest of the country if handled sensitively and imaginatively.

When Malayalis migrated to various parts of Asia and Africa during the days of the British Empire, they were in the forefront of struggles for workers’ rights. Today, Kerala legislators need to focus their efforts on creating not just another law, but one that would give substantive citizenship to the migrant labourers, and empower them to live with honour among their hosts.

A large influx of outsiders does cause some worries to the local populace, some of which may be valid. Local people suspect the outsiders. These outsiders are found to be a threat to law and order, or even potential disease carriers. This makes migrants feel insecure. To drive away their insecurity, there should be an effort to create dialogue mechanisms between host States and the home States of migrant workers. It might be advisable to have a revamped Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act. A pan-Indian law might help protect the interests of the migrant workers better while addressing the concerns of the host societies too.

It is ironical that the fellow citizens who migrate from the other Indian states for work meet with inhuman treatment. Their labour is extracted, but they are not valued! Thus, it is the duty of their state and the general public to ensure that the inter-state migrant workers and their families are protected from all forms of discrimination and exploitation and that they can lead a dignified human life through protection of their rights as citizens and workers of India.

While making laws for migrants to feel more secure, Government should focus on the following: (1) Period of employment/place of employment (2) Wages and other conditions of service (3) Free food and food allowance provision (4) Free accommodation (5) Provision in regard to disposal or transportation to India, of dead body of the emigrant (6) Working hours, overtime allowance, other working conditions, leave and social security benefits as per local labor laws (7) To and fro air passage at the employers costs (8) Mode of settlement of disputes (9) Medical benefits (10) Leave benefits (11) Travel and transportation expenses (12) Conditions for the termination of employment

Justice should be done to the host too. Migrants should follow the policy: When in Rome do as Romans do. It is duty of any person to learn the culture of his or her immediate locality. Both host and immigrant should resort to peaceful ways for mutual benefit - working and getting work done.