What IGFP has done for Migrant Workers- Livelihood through Skill Development

The very Logo of IGFP is 7s which saysSecuring Safety Social Security and Skill Development Starts with Self–  For Workers and Industries as well.With above Mandate, Since Lockdown started in March 2020till date, IGFP while taking care of Migrant workers who have to returned to Home state in A Panic and Pandemic Background, the ultimate objective is how they will return to work with their skill developed at Host States during Migration Period The Methodology adopted are as follows1. Taking up with Both MOL as well as Labour department of States to Register such Returning Migrants with their Professional and importantly Trade in which they are skilled .It is gratifying to know Hon SC in their direction to Union and state governments have asked for Registration and added to it Trade in which they are skilled which will help states in Mapping and providing jobs at home states.2. Migrants who have returned are worried about how to get back to work, besides Stress & Strain involving Livelihood of their Families. To Destrees and Motivate IGFP has developed  A Video to be played @ Quarantine Centre, Counselling/Training & Return to work oriented Lectures by Heath Officer, HR Consultant & Safety Consultant- An 1/2 Hour Video which will also help them to hone up their Skill in the process. The said Video is available in IGFP Website- www.indogermanfocalpoint.com,3. IGFP has also made Lision with Trade Unions & Industries to impart Training on How to go back to Work  like with INTUC @ National/ Odisha & Industry like JSW @ BangaloreUltimately the objective of IGFP Activities during Lockdown to drive home the Message ” Parents- You Stay Safe so that the Family is Secured & The Nation Is Prosperous

Webinar on Migrant Workers, Challenges & Solutions in Covid-19 Pandemic Situation

Important Takeways involving Webinar on Migrant Workers held on 13th July 2020

Respected Samariya Saheb ( Union Labour Secretary, Govt. of India ),

Keeping in the continued efforts of Indo German Focal Point ( IGFP ) to support Ministry & Labour Departmentof States involving the Challenge posed by Migrant Workers @ Pandemic Situation, I am privileged to inform your kindself that  A Webinar ( 2nd in Series ) coordinated by IGFP was held on 13th This Monday involving Issues & Solutions Migrant Workers in Covid19 Pandemic Situation with Chairmanship of Dr. Ajay Dua IAS, Former Secretary to Govt of India with Panelists from DGUV Germany, ILO Delhi, Prof Ravi Srivastava, Mr. Jagadanand, Mr RC Khuntia from INTUC & MGLI Gujarat with positive inputs  of Mr.Sudhir Kumar IAS (Additional Chief Secretary Labour,Govt of Bihar) which was witnessed by about 50 Participants ( List of Panelists with Objectives/ Subjects ect Enclosed ).

After almost 3 hours deliberations by Panelists including Q & A Session, The Chair Dr Ajoy Dua along with Panelists have brought out Significant Solutions/ Proposals which should have paradigm Shift involving the Future of Migrant Workers as well as for the States/ Nation in confronting such Natural Calamities like Present Pandemic.

IGFP is glad to send herewith the ” IMPORTANT TAKEWAYS ” Adopted @ the Webinar as above with expectation that MOL & Labour Department of States will take the Call for implementing the Suggestions.

IGFP is honoured to share also the Feedback/Goodwill Messages received from the Chair/Panelists/Participant which speak for itself our Efforts for the Welfare of Migrant Informal Workers Health & Safety in India.

This is in continuation to Mail dated 3rd June 2020 enclosing similar suggestions involving 1st Webinar held on 15th May 2020 coordinated by IGFP

With High Regards

Mr B.K Sahu

Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour,                                                               Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,

Now Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV

Land No- 0674-2386668,

Mobile- 9040590798/ 9818098844

IMPORTANT TAKEWAYS

Webinar “Issues, Challenges and Responses of

Migrant Workers of Odisha in the wake of Covid-19 Pandemic” on 13^th July, 2020 (12.30 hrs – 14.30 Hrs) Coordinated By IGFP Chaired by Dr Ajay Dua IAS, Former Secretary to Govt of India with Panellists- National /International Experts 

At the end we may sum up the following suggestion made at the webinar on making life of the migrant better. 

1. Compulsory registration of each worker both in the home State or host State (in host State the old number recorded at the home state should be honoured for continuity in membership)-National register date of migrant workers state wise.
2. Each worker to be given an identity card on registration for the first time and he should carry the same at  new job for getting due benefits
3. All the measures announced by the Government of India, like, one ration card one nation, affordable rental housing at the place of work etc. should be implemented. (Portability of Benefits available under various welfare schemes both of central and state governments)
4. Voting rights of migrant workers
5. Implementation of the provision of Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 as also the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 likely to be subsumed  in the ensuing Labour Code on Social Security. 

Each Board of Construction Workers should play an active role to justify its existence and to be of support to the worker in time of need. 

6. Preparing Aadhar based platform for tracking and tracing of the migrant worker anytime, anywhere. 

Monitoring Mechanism Suggested:-

Contractor who recruits the migrant worker should be made responsible to ensure his wellbeing at the host state. 

Inspector should visit host state from time to time to ensure that the provisions of the Act are being adhere to. Migrant workers to be paid for minimum 6 months by way of financial support over and above free ration now being made available. 

Complied By 

IGFP

Mr B.K Sahu

Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour,                                                                 

Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,

Now Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV

Land No- 0674-2386668,

Mobile- 9040590798/ 9818098844

Meeting on Issues, Challenges and Responses of Migrant Workers of Odisha in the wake of Covid-19 Pandemic

Respected Chairman/Panelists
At the Outset iGFP with our Partners from Germany thank profusely for spending your valuable time today for Webinar on Migrant workers
While detailed proceedings are being prepared, shor version in bullet form is enclosed for your kind perusal and necessary action
Looking forward for your similar Support in future
With Cheers
Sahu
IGFP

Today Webinar on Migrant Workers, Challenges and Solutions in Covid 19 Pandemic situation
Organized by Indo German Focal point
Chaired by Dr Ajoy Dua IAS Former Secretary to Govt of india and Prof Noetel from DGUV BGBAU Germany, Mr. Nair from ILO Delhi, Prof Ravi Srivastava of Institute of human development Forum prof of JNU, Mr.Jagadananda Civil Society Leader attached to State planning board Niti Aayog, Dr.R C Khuntia Former MOand National VP INTUC, Prof Suman Vishnav from MGLI Ahmedabad Dr.Elongoan DGFASLI MOL , Mr.Sudhir kumar ACS Labour Govt of Bihar effectively participated in the Webinar today and Mr.BK Sahu Host from IGFP
Main conclusions
1.National Register Data of Migrant workers
2Compulsarory Registration of their job trade ect both at Host Home states
3.One Nattion One Ration Card for eligibility of food subsidy
4=Portability of Benefits available under various welfare schemes both of centraland state governments
5=Voting Rights for Migrant workers

Talk on Migrant Construction Workers & Handing Over of Relief Material (PPE)

OSH Activity Discussion With Labour Department, UT Chandigarh and Punjab

ILO-ESIC Study Advisory Committee Meeting (On Zoom) on 11th June 2020

Guidebook Vision Zero publication of ISSA, Geneva in English to Hindi, An Intiative of IGFP

Thank you Mr Sahu for the information regarding Hindi speakers in the world.

Now as I have more time on my hands again,

 I am pleased to let you know that article in which we announce the new Guide in Hindi will appear shortly on http://visionzero.global/news

With kind regards

Bernd Treichel

Senior Technical Specialist in Prevention

International Social Security Association

www.issa.int/prevention

T: +41 22 799 6489

F: +41 22 799 8509

E: treichel@ilo.org

#VisionZeroGlobal

Hindi Speaking Population in The World

Hindi is one of the widely spoken languages in the World. This is the third top global language.

According to Census 2011, ethnologue.com “692 million population can speak Hindi in the world”. Moreover, it is estimated that the population who can understand Hindi language reaches upto 800 million.

Hindi is the Official Language of India. This is the link language of huge Indian population. There are millions of Hindi Spoken Indian people settlements in different countries like-

Fiji ,Mauritius ,Singapore,Nepal,Pakistan,South Africa,Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago,Germany ,USA ,UAE,South Africa,Yemen ,Australia,

Canada Etc.

Edited By

Mr.Sham Sundar (JD,OL, ESIC)

Mail from IGFP to Union Labour Secretary enclosing recommendation of VC panel discussion on migrant workers on 15th May 2020

From:-bimal sahu <focalpointindia.dguv@gmail.com>
Thu, May 28, 10:55 PM </focalpointindia.dguv@gmail.com>

To secy-labour, hshso, Irudaya, rama, Virjesh, Subhash, Ravi, Ramesh, Principal, soz-1, ceo-niti, panchanan.kanungo, B.N, Partha, Karl-Heinz, bcc: Malay, bcc: Ashok, bcc: som, bcc: subhashis, bcc: NP, bcc: Madanmohan, bcc: Dr, bcc: Mousumi, bcc: Ravi, bcc: Dibakar, bcc: saroj

Respected Samariya Saheb ( Union Labour Secretary )

May I take this opportunity to refer to IGFP Mail lying with your kind-self regarding VC Oriented Panel Discussion on Migrant Workers coordinated by Indo German Focal Point @ Bhubaneswar,Odisha on 15th May 2020.

The Objective of the Panel Discussion was to discuss Challenges & Solutions in the backdrop of Present Pandemic Situation involving Migrant Workers both @ Host & Home states- to bring A Framework of Suggestions to provide /assist Inputs for MOL with coordination of MOH to prepare A Remedial Long Term/Short Term Plan/ SOP.

Your kind self will be glad to know the Panel Discussion was Moderated by Mr. B. N. Som,Former Secretary to Govt & Former CPFC to MOL with Panelists from TUs, Employers, Former Senior Officers from MOL, Professor from CDS Trivandrun & Kalyani University,Kolkata with International Speaker Mr. Karl H Noetel, Senior Adviser DGUV & President ISSA Construction from Germany which is supporting OSH Activities of IGFP in India.

I have the hon-our to forward herewith Proceedings & Recommendations ( 1) & Material for SOP in the context of COVID 19 with request to consider the Recommendations/ Material for SOP which may benefit Migrant Workers as well as effective respective Role Define of Stakeholders, Namely- Govt Of India & States- both Home & Host States.

We Panelists with the Moderator have tried to keep the Recommendations Practical & Enforceable, keeping in view the Experience & Expertise of Panelists as Former Bureaucrats/ National TUs/ OSH activists & Academicians from Pan India.

We would be obliged if your kind-self respond to our Suggestions as a part of Teamwork & Motivation involving Panelists & Participants.

2. I also take this opportunity to enclose herewith A Video Prepared by IGFP, taking into account Stress/ Emotional /Business requirements of Migrant Workers with Focus on Return to their work which may be useful to replicate with support of MOH & Niti Ayog to whom ,copy of this mail are sent also.

With Cheers & Regards,
B. K. Sahu,
Former Insurance Commissioner ESIC, MOL,
Now Director @ Indo German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security
Visit Our Website to Know Us & Our activitie – www.indogermanfocalpoint.com,
Mobile-9818098844

———————————————————————–

Re Proceedings of Seminar on Migrant Labour-15/5/20
From – B.N Som
to me, Karl-Heinz, Partha, rama, Virjesh, Subhash, Malay, N, R.S.

Dear Mr. Sahoo,
I have made a report on the panel discussion on migrant workers held on 15th May 2020. I have listed 11 recommendations made by the panelists.
Regarding the SOP sent by Mr Mitra I have the following suggestion to make. The suggested SOP is basically on the value of hand hygiene and facilities at the quarantine centers. The point to consider is if for COVID 19 pandemic is not a recurring matter and the Government of India, as well as the State Governments, having issued instructions in this regard do we need to go into that?
I would, therefore, request you as follows:-
We better send to the Ministry of Labour our recommendations on the migrant issues which are a recurrent feature of our life and the other thing being transient and once in a blue moon variety we may not work into that side.
I suggest that you visit MHA website to see the advisory on migrants.
I am attaching two files containing Seminar proceedings and the recommendation/important takeaways.
Yours sincerely,

Regards,

B N Som ACIArb (UK)
Secretary to GOI(retd)
Vice-Chairman,CAT(retd)
Ph: 9433046971

IMPORTANT TAKEWAYS

At the end we may sum up the following suggestion made at the seminar on making life of the migrant better. 

• Implementation of the provision of Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 as also the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 likely to be subsumed  in the ensuing Labour Code on Social Security. 
• Compulsory registration of each worker both in the home State or host State; in host State the old number recorded at the home state should be honoured for continuity in membership
• Each worker to be given an identity card on registration for the first time and he should carry the same at  new job for getting due benefits.
• Preparing Aadhar based platform for tracking and tracing of the migrant worker anytime ,anywhere. 
• Contractor who recruits the migrant worker should be made responsible to ensure his wellbeing at the host state. 
• Inspector should visit host state from time to time to ensure that the provisions of the Act are being adhere to.
• Migrant workers to be paid for minimum 6 months by way of financial support over and above free ration now being made available. 
• All the measures announced by the Government of India ,like,one ration card one nation, affordable rental housing at the place of work etc. should be implemented. 
• Each Board of Construction Workers should play an active role to justify its existence and to be of support to the worker in time of need. 
• Work sites should have sufficient arrangement for handwashing.
• Each State should build up database for all migrant workers.

VC Panel Discussion on Migrant Workers- Challenges & Solutions for Formulating A SOP in Pandemic Situation in India coordinated by IGFP with Technical Support of KDC Technologies

Panel Discussion on Migrant workers through a webinar held on 15-5-2020 @ 12.30 pm

Coordinated by Indo-German Focal Point  with Technical Support of KDC Technologies

SOP BASED ON IGFP PANEL DISCUSSION ON MIGRANT WORKERS HELD ON 15-5-2020

The Panelists participating in the panel discussion through a webinar held on 15-5-2020 expressed deep concern on  the plight of the migrant workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was  felt that  a  SOP was urgently required to be prepared and referred  to the central and state governments for its implementation. 

The following are the salient features of the SOP which  the panelists wished to bring to the notice of the government both at the centre and states:-

1. There  was an immediate need to ensure that the migrant workers, who could not go home since the national lockdown was declared on March25,2020 and  who wished  to return home be facilitated in doing so in a coordinated way with  railways and  state transport authorities, so that  they are not forced to either walk or take private transport at exorbitant costs.  

2.The panel also felt that there was also an immediate need render cash assistance of Rs 10,000 a month for next three months  for those registered workers under the BOCW act or having Jandhan/MGNREGA accounts, since they have not been paid wages ever since the  lockdown began on March,25,2020 

3. Ordinances suspending labour laws by many state governments which inter-alia resulted in extension of daily  working hours from 8 to 12  may be immediately withdrawn as it was contrary to the ILO conventions of which India was a signatory , domestic labour legislations  and also detrimental to the occupational safety,   health, and life  of  workers. 

4. All help and coordination to be done by the central and state governments to ensure that the migrant workers faced no hardship in meeting their food requirements in transit and should be served with wholesome food during their journey back home which may  be adjusted in their journey fare and no extra cost be paid by them for food.

5. Enforcement of the Interstate Migrant workers Act, 1979 (ISMW) be strongly be done as the panel strongly felt that  much of the problems of the migrant workers would not  have arisen to the extent it was witnessed  post lockdown after March ,25,2020,had the ISMW Act was enforced since its inception in the right spirit  in keeping with the intent of the Act. All provisions of the ISMW Act ,1979 be retained, given the vulnerable conditions of the migrant workers, in the Code on Occupational Safety , Health and Working conditions,2019 presently under the consideration of the parliament.

6. A coordination committee be formed with representatives of the centre, originating and receiving states for stricter enforcement of ISMW Act.

7 The panel felt strongly on the absence  of  data of migrant workers and therefore urged the central and the state governments to immediately introduce a system where all migrants, even those not covered by establishments covered by the ISMW Act, are  registered so that the migrant workers get the benefit of welfare schemes of the governments.

8. The panel noted with concern the hardships which migrant workers faces while returning to states and desired that a humane approach be adopted towards them in the quarantine centres as soon as they reach their home states with certain basic  facilities at these  quarantine centres to be provided as under: 

8.1Hand Hygiene 

(a)It is one of the important practices to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. It includes hand washing with soap and water, and use of alcohol-based products. 1) Hand Washing (takes about 40-60 seconds) with soap and water. 

 (b)Cleaning hands with alcohol-based products that do not require water. (takes about 20 seconds) Use alcohol-based sanitiser/rub with 60% alcohol content

8.2 Other Health Measures

(a) Focus on keeping a routine for yourselves while in isolation

(b) Do physical exercises  and  practice relaxations exercises  

 (c)Keep a safe distance,  from the persons. · 

8.3 Facilities at Quarantine Centre

All  persons in quarantine centres shall be encouraged to remain in contact with their family members through phone to avoid anxiety and stress. Phone charging points shall be provided at these centers in adequate numbers.  Access control shall be enforced at the quarantine center. 

8.4a) All quarantined persons will undergo daily medical examination for appearance of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. 

b) The migrant workers will be provided triple layer medical mask and sensitized on 

(i) How to use and dispose off mask.

 (ii) Washing hands frequently. 

(iii) Following respiratory etiquettes (coughing/sneezing into tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow).

 (iv) Maintaining at least 1 meter distance from each other.

 (v) To report on symptoms of fever/cough/breathing difficulty.

 c) Those during the course of their stay are found to be symptomatic for COVID-19 shall be referred to designated COVID-19 hospital for isolation and testing. They will be managed as per guidelines on management of COVID-19 cases 

(available at:  https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesonClinicalManagementofCOVID1912020. pdf)

and discharged as per discharge policy 

(available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Corona%20Discharge-Policy.pdf) 

and brought to quarantine center. 

d) If the person tests positive, all his close contacts shall be segregated and tested as per ICMR testing guidelines. 

(Available at: https://icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/upload_documents/2020-03- 20_covid19_test_v3.pdf) 

e) Special care shall be taken with regards to vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, elderlies and those with co-morbidities. 

f) In addition to medical care for COVID-19, routine healthcare needs (particularly provision for reproductive care, treatment of Non communicable diseases etc.) shall be attended to. For such purpose a medical team from the nearest hospital will visit/camp at quarantine facility. 

g) A psycho-social team would visit all such facilities to address psycho-social issues if any. 

h) An ambulance will remain stationed at the quarantine center to attend to any medical emergencies and referral of suspect patients. 

i) To create awareness among people being quarantined, IEC material will be displayed at multiple prominent locations at quarantine centers. This shall also be addressed by interpersonal communication.

 j) Clean beddings and fresh linen will be provided to the quarantined persons

 k) All frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected twice a day with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Floors will be mopped daily with household cleaning agent and 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. For detailed information Guidelines on disinfection of common public places are available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesondisinfectionofcommonpublicplacesinclud ingoffices.pdf 

l) All waste shall be segregated and disposed off as per bio-medical waste management rules 2016. The agency providing bio-medical waste disposal at the nearest hospital will be tasked for waste disposal.

 m) Prior to their final discharge from the quarantine facility, a record shall be created of their names, mobile numbers, places likely to visit in next 14 days. 

8.5  Brief the migrant workers  during their stay at the quarantine centres about  the steps state governments  have taken for financial and other relief including jobs that they  may get  by maintaining social distancing, hygiene and health measures.

8.6 Central and state skill development missions and corporations to give special exposure to them for short term skill building courses that would enable them to get wage employment and self employment.

8.7 Special sessions may be held for the migrant workers during their stay at quarantine centres to explain the facilities announced in the stimulus  packages announced by the central government as also the relief measures announced by state government and the benefits that would accrue to them for free food grains, Mudra loans, loans for street vendors and other livelihood opportunities that are likely to be created as a result of stimulus measures. Then lead banks and the convener banks of the State Level Bankers’ Committee(SLBC) may specifically activated by the state government and the Department of Financial Services (DFS)of the Ministry of Finance may be requested to issue special directions to the state governments to render all financial assistance through  NABARD, commercial banks, regional rural banks(RRBs) and cooperative  banks. 

8.8 At the end of the quarantine period , the state government to  make necessary arrangements for the safe journey to their village homes from the quarantine centres.

8.9 Special Counseling -Cum-Escort Service Centres be set up by state governments at all district headquarters to facilitate registration and also advise migrant workers  on ways to restart  their activities after coming back to their villages, either for wage employment or self employment. the National skill development agencies along with state skill development agencies will also participate in these the special counseling-cum-Escort Centres to render skill development training for the migrant workers.

8.10 NABARD , banks, RRBs and cooperative banks may in coordination with state governments also participate in the Special Counseling-cum escort Centres at the district headquarters to provide the necessary financial assistance to restart the activities.    

8.11. In work place regular thermal scanning will be beneficial. 

8.11 Action Points -Migrant Labour

• DATA BANK on the extent, nature and magnitude of internal/external migration
• Identify opportunities for alternate income generation to provide round the year employment opportunities to workers of the migration-prone localities;
• Creation of Migration Support Centres;
• Migration Services in a structured manner (Strict enforcement of Law). 
• Skill up-gradation of migrant labours; 
• 100% National Portability.

    Anchor-

    Mr. B.N. som – Former Secretary to Govt of India & Former CPFC

     Panelist –

1. Prof. Karl H. Noetel, Senior Advisor DGUV & President iSSA Construction,
2. Mr. Partha Mitra- Former SEA to MOL,
3. Mr. R. C. Khuntia, Former MP & VP INTUC @ National Level,
4. Mr. Subhash Bhatnagar- Chairman/Convenor NCCL, Delhi
5. Prof Rajan Irudiyum, Centre of Development Studies
6. Dr. Malay Pradhan, GM ODMA

Coordinator 

Mr. B. K. SAHU, Director  IGFP-

The Above Panel was assisted by Mr. Ravi Somani Entrepreneur, Mr. N. P. Samy TU from Bangalore & Prof Subhasis Sahu, Kalyani University, Kolkotta with Technical support of KDC Technologies Pvt Ltd.

Compiled by the Panellists with the Anchor & IGFP

Mail ID : Focalpointindia.dguv@gmail.com

Website ; www.indogermanfocalpoint.com

Release of 7th Issue of IGfP Newsletter

Click here to download

Panel Discussion on Migrant Workers – 15/5/2020 Time: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

Panel Discussion on Migrant Workers

Discussion Title: 

Panel discussion on Migrant workers – Issues/challenges and solutions to evolve SOP for Govt. of India and State Govt. In the backdrop of Pandemic situations/Natural Disaster

Date: 15/5/2020

Time: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Meeting Host Location: Indo German Focal Point

Meeting Host:  Mr. B.N Som, Former Secretary to Govt. of India/CPFC 

Meeting Invitation Letter:

Dear Friends and Colleagues

You are invited to join as a participant in the Panel Discussion on Migrant Workers. 

When: May 15, 2020 12:30 PM India (IST)

Register in advance for this Meeting form the link By Pressing CTrl + Click

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUof–trT8oE9V5sm6DaJIYKDB-MJJw_c4D

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Kindly note that, you can only join the meeting from the confirmation Email link.