On migrant workers, SC issues a reminder

Atwo-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC), on Tuesday, gave a slew of directives to the Centre, the states, and Union Territories (UTS) to provide relief to migrant workers, whose lives and livelihoods have been severely affected by Covid-19. Calling the Centre’s attitude towards the migrants “lackadaisical,” the SC directed it to ensure that the national database for unorganised workers (NDUW) is operational by July 31 so that marginalised sections can access welfare benefits. It ordered states and UTS to implement the One Nation One Ration Card (ONOR) scheme by July 31 to help beneficiaries avail subsidised food commodities everywhere.

The order can have a far-reaching impact if implemented well. It is a reminder to the State that the welfare of migrants must not be restricted to Covid-19 benefits alone; and that the failure to put in place a policy framework exacerbated the 2020 crisis. The directives also expose India’s low State capacity in effective interventions (NDUW was supposed to be functional in 2018). There has been some progress on ONOR in the past year, but issues of accessibility must be addressed. It is a mobile app, works in select ration shops, and uses finger-based authentication, which is not always unreliable.

Migrant workers form 94% (380 million) of India’s workforce. They come from the most disadvantaged sections of society and the poorest of regions (primarily north and east India), and are often forced to migrate (primarily to west and south India and urban centres) to improve their socioeconomic status. Their long march home in 2020 highlighted their precarious existence, and the duty of the State to provide relief. The SC’S stern order is welcome.