Recognising The Migrant
Context: The recent NITI Aayog’s draft Migrant Labour Policy (MLP), which intent to better recognise migrants’ contribution to the economy, while is a welcome step, need to acknowledge some concerns.
Positive aspects of draft MLP
- Presented radical ideas:
- Adoption of a rights-based approach.
- Establishing an additional layer of institutions: To create a more enabling policy environment.
- Proposed for a new National Migration Policy.
- Formation of a special unit within the Labour Ministry: To work closely with other ministries, helping in a universal understanding of the causes and effects of migration as well as the interventions needed.
- It presents some healthy discussions:
- On Indian laws: like Bonded Labour Act, the Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, among others.
- On International initiative related to labour rights: Like International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) Decent Work Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (which aim to protect labour rights).
- Presented some suggestions:
- Improve implementation of labour laws.
- Improve the data collection on short-term migration to enhance the welfare of migrant labours.
Issues with draft NLP:
- Does not identify the causes for poor implementation of labour laws: E.g. bonding the labours through the notorious system of advances.
- Reasons for the existing unfair recruitment practices are not dealt with.
- Does not address gender differences in employment: The policy does not explicitly mention the challenges faced by domestic workers (mostly migrant women).
- India has not ratified the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers, and The Domestic Workers Bill 2017 has not become law.
- Controlling tribal migration: It goes against the objective of recognising migrant agency to help tribal migrants to access the opportunities offered by migration.
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