W.B. Governor suggests MoUs with other States to address issues of migrant workers

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has recommended a number of measures, including signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with major destination States and the appointment of labour welfare officers, to address the challenges faced by migrant workers.

The Governor has suggested that the West Bengal government proactively engage and sign MoUs with key destination States, such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi.

“These MoUs should clearly delineate responsibilities for ensuring the enforcement of minimum wages, adherence to workplace safety standards, and establish expedited mechanisms for grievance handling for West Bengal’s workers within their jurisdictions,” reads the letter.

Mr. Bose’s recommendations to the Central and State governments on Monday to “address the multifaceted challenges faced by West Bengal migrants” and to ensure “socio-economic justice” for them, include implementing a West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Registration Portal and a “West Bengal Migrant Worker Card”.

The development comes amid reports of harassment, detention and torture of West Bengal workers in several States on suspicion of being undocumented Bangladeshi nationals, which has forced many to return to the State.

A day earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a scheme called Shramashree through which a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 will be disbursed to such migrant workers for up to one year until they get a job.

According to the West Bengal government, around 22.40 lakh residents are working in other States. While announcing the scheme on Monday, the Chief Minister had said that about 10,000 workers had returned to West Bengal in the past few months.

Other recommendations by the Governor include developing affordable hostels, establishing skill training centres in districts with high rates of migration, 24×7 multilingual helpline, providing legal aid and setting up an emergency transport and relief fund.

Raj Bhavan officials said Mr. Bose has been interacting with migrant workers, trade union leaders and other stakeholders in various States during his visits.

‘Reality check’

“The Governor has also visited their workplaces and residences for a reality check.During his recent visit to Haryana, where some issues of migrant workers were reported, the Governor interacted with the workers and other stakeholders before making the specific recommendations,” the official noted.