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

Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust > Blog 3 Columns With Frame > 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犀利士 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). 

Representatives of state governments, academics, journalists and NGOs met in a virtual roundtable discussion chaired by Professor V.K. Damodaran (President of VMFT). Shri Pranabjyoti Nath (Labour Commissioner, Government of Kerala) and Dr. K.P. Kannan (former Director, Centre of Development Studies)  presented different aspects of Kerala’s experience of  handling the crisis which began in May 2020.

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