Highlights of the Month

The Experience of Kerala and Other States to Protect Migrant Labour during COVID-19

India’s modern cities are built on the labour of tens of millions of people who migrate from poverty-stricken rural areas. But as the dramatic humanitarian crisis following the COVID-19 lockdown revealed, they are voiceless, invisible and lack basic protections. Kerala’s experience shows that an alternative approach is possible; while there remains room for much further improvement, it nevertheless offers a significant ray of hope. A rights-based framework for migrant workers is essential, along with strengthened programs, legal protections and ways of make their voices heard.  These were the conclusions of a high-level roundtable discussion organized by VMFT on 25th August 2020 (report forthcoming). 

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VMFT Publications

Voice, Visibility and Dignity – Towards a Rights-Based Framework for Migrant Workers presents in detail the experience of the state of Kerala in protecting its out-of-state workers during the lockdown, including actions by the state government, local governments and NGOs, which are relevant for other states.  The report highlights how the three levers of democratic governance – media, policies and programs and legal protections – can be used to secure the livelihood and well-being of these workers across the country.

Kerala in 2050

VMFT aims to bring key stakeholders together to think about the mega trends shaping Kerala society and the systems, policies and actions required to build a better future for the next generation. We will hear the voices of scholars, politicians, administrators, business people, teachers, citizens from different walks of life, and especially youth and even children.

A child born today in Kerala will be 30 in 2050. That is about the age at which many men in Kerala currently get married and start rearing the next generation.  What kind of society is today’s child likely to live in?  What kind of society would we like this child to live in?  Or will Kerala even remain a place where people can live at all?

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Memorial Lectures and Awards

K M Bashir
Memorial Lectures

Vakkom Moulavi
Memorial Lectures

Professor N.A Karim Award
for Outstanding Public Service

Resource Centre

The Resource Centre houses a collection of resources on renaissance, journalism, education and renaissance leaders.  It also hosts a Readers’ Forum which conducts a review of a book every month. In addition to books and resource materials related to Vakkom Moulavi, the resource centre carries books and publications relating to the work of the VMFT. These include books relating to education and teaching, science and mathematics resources for children, political science, history, journalism and media, religion and the environment.
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QUOTE FROM SWADESHABHIMANI

VMFT
NEWSLETTER

HIGHLIGHTS
OF VMFT

Voice, Visibility and Dignity – Towards a Rights-Based Framework for Migrant Workers presents in detail the experience of the state of Kerala in protecting its out-of-state workers during the lockdown, including actions by the state government, local governments and NGOs, which are relevant for other states. The report highlights how the three levers of democratic governance – media, policies and programs and legal protections – can be used to secure the livelihood and well-being of these workers across the country.