Context:Post-lockdown misery of India’s migrant workers warrants some urgent measures.
Effects of lockdown on India’s migrant workers
Distress migration: due to non-existent social security and unilateral decisions.
Loss of livelihoods: based on the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) data -
Among men who lost employment in April 2020, about 68 % of the workers had a fall in income between December 2019 and August 2020.
56 % of women remained unemployed even in December 2020.
Paradox of hunger despite having plenty: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has four times the buffer stock norms.
Azim Premji University (APU) survey: 90 % of the respondents reported a reduction in food consumption during the lockdown.
“Hunger Watch” survey in October 2020: About 48 % of respondents went to bed without a meal at least once, and about 30 % had to skip meals “sometimes” or “often”.
NITI Aayog has proposed to lower the food subsidies from 75% to 60% in rural areas and from 50% to 40% in urban areas.
Devastating impact on women and children’s nutrition: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) Phase 1, child nutrition indicators have stagnated or worsened between 2015 and 2019.
Way forward
Universalise rations: rather than going for technocratic fixes like One Nation One Ration (ONOR) Card.
Secure employment and better livelihood opportunities: especially for women.
As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2018-19), 4 out of 5 rural women willing to work are unemployed.
Provide due recognition to Anganwadi workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers and provide them with better wages.
Strengthen Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): by
Increasing the entitlement to 200 days per household per year.
Increasing wage rates.
Boost bottom-up consumption: By Introducing an urban employment programme like MGNREGA.