No clarity over Centre's order on movement of migrant workers
New Delhi: Days after the Cenre allowed movement of migrant workers within the state to go to their respective places for work with certain restrictions, the stranded labourers in Delhi have said that there is no clarity over the announcement.
The laboureres, who are unable to make ends meet during the lockdown, have said that despite the move they cannot go to their respective places as majority of factories/sectors in which they work are still closed. The labourers also claimed that majority of them have not been registered by the authorities and hence cannot move from one place to another in search of jobs. Labourers who are mainly from Poorvanchanchal and are stuck in and around the National Capital said though they wanted to resume their work, the government guidelines are hardly helpful and have created confusion.
"Suppose a person has work at a construction company, he cannot resume his work as construction works have stopped. Similarly, a person working at a garment store cannot go for work as nothing is operational due to import/export restrictions. Hence, the order should be more meaningful to help those who are stuck in and around the area," said a labourer stuck at Noida Extension.
Another worker stuck in Seemapuri of north-east Delhi said the entire area where he lives and area where he works are shut down. He said that neither he is registered nor did he have any valid ID proof from his work. "I along with more than 100 workers was working as labourers at a saree shop near Nai Sadak but since shutdown, the shop is also closed. I don't know when it will open and work will resume. The government's latest announcement is meaningless," said Aadil, a worker.
A similar situation is with the maids, drivers, plumbers, mechanics, electricians, automobile workers and many others who will not benefit from the latest announcement. "I work as a maid in several houses but since the restrictions along with the lockdown, we are not being allowed to enter the societies and houses. The security guards stop us at the main gate. Hence, we have no option but to sit at home," said Rekha, a maid working in Karol Bagh.
The Union Home Ministry earlier had said that the labourers, who are stranded in different parts of the country due to the lockdown, will be allowed to go to their respective places of work within a state with certain conditions. It had made it clear that there will be no inter-state movement of workers during the lockdown, which has been extended till May 3.
The order issued by the Ministry said that due to the spread of Coronavirus, workers employed in industry, agriculture, construction and other sectors have moved from their respective places of work and are housed in relief and shelter camps being run by state and UT governments.
