Migrants' conundrum can be addressed with a sense of purpose and professionalism

The lockdown that came about on 25 March 2020 is the most unprecedented lockup of humanity in world history and with that cropped up problems that were mostly predictable and many that were unimaginable, unforeseen and extremely serious in terms of human misery and suffering. There was a panic mass exodus of migrant labourers from their places of work to their native areas.

Untold human suffering was witnessed during the long treks of hundreds of kilometres that took place during this period. It is a matter of pride also that there was an exemplary display of compassion and courtesy by average citizens, government servants with modest means, of the police and the administration. Regrettably, there were some incidents of high-handedness and brutality also that came to light. Thankfully, such incidents were very few, but even these are a blot on the state and their respective administrations who failed to control and check such despicable acts of insensitivity and unprofessionalism. Whether it was the spraying of disinfectants on migrant labourers and their families, or making them sit endlessly in the scorching sun in temperatures exceeding 40 degree Centigrade, putting them in quarantine without the basic rudiments of toilet and health facilities. The critical health care and medical services were allegedly relegated to ward boys and lower functionaries. In Mumbai, there are troubling instances of coronavirus patients lying with dead bodies by their side! This was totally avoidable as the bodies could have been sent for medical formality and autopsy or both immediately and the bed should have been sanitized and made available to the next waiting patient.

The large scale exodus of migrant labour from one place to the other could have been foreseen and facilitated; it is not that this was straight out of the blue or that labourers and their families descended from the skies. The Intelligence establishment has a full-time dedicated cell to monitor and forewarn such developments. Such huge congregations running into thousands can be managed by diversions, making arrangements at convenient halting points like schools, colleges, orchards etc. If not handled tactfully, such crowds have a tendency of becoming hostile and converting into a mob. Fortunately, this did not happen; but our government should have anticipated this and should have had an action plan ready. More so in the light of the fact that people chose to come out, bag and baggage, with families on an empty stomach with nothing in their pockets. Under these compelling circumstances, they are just unstoppable. Nothing, not even death, is going to prevent them from reaching their destination. This is borne out by the heroic 1,200 kilometres gruelling eight-day cycle ride from Gurgaon to Bihar by 15-year-old Jyoti Kumari with her ailing father on the cycle carrier. This won admiration for her, not only nationally, but also accolades from Ivanka Trump. Incidentally, the Cycle Federation of India offered her a trial to test her prowess for national and international events.

In UP's Auraiya district, 24 labourers were killed and 36 seriously injured on May 16. In another shocking incident from Indore, MP, 18 labourers were found travelling inside the barrel of a cement mixer in the most dangerous and claustrophobic conditions. There have been emergency deliveries of babies in police stations, there have been deaths due to fatigue and dehydration and the list goes on. 

There is a very positive side too: there are innumerable heartwarming stories of a resolute nation standing up to ease this human suffering and people going out of their way to feed and attend to this migrant population. There are countless incidents of police women and men with extremely frugal means who have managed to feed our fellow citizens, provide them with Oral Rehydration Salts and fruits although they denied this to themselves! This is a cause for us to salute our junior colleagues, and rightfully they truly deserve to be called the corona warriors and brand ambassadors of the police department at the Medical and Health Department.

The legal provision of Interstate Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, also needs to be brought out from the archives, and faithfully implemented in letter and spirit. The office of the Labour Commissioner needs to understand that it has a job to perform and a duty to execute. For too long have they existed in the shadows with barely any proactive actions on their part. They need to be reminded of Section 14 of this Act, which provides for displacement allowance and Section 15 sheds light on home journey allowances. The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of this matter on May 26 and issued notices to central and state governments regarding the plight and misery of migrant labourers, stating there have been inadequacies and lapses on part of both the Centre and states. The next hearing is rescheduled for May 28.

There have been allegations that there could have been greater application of mind to garner consensus with various states and also more attention to detail and finetuning so that this catastrophe could at least have been minimised and contained. Were these decisions taken in undue haste? The manner in which domestic air travel has been resumed with effect from May 25 indicates that the decision-makers could do well to involve all the stakeholders, have general agreement on standard operating procedures and then execute the plan. It is highly unseemly to witness various state governments and the Centre at loggerheads over the basics.

The most unfortunate aspect of the whole situation was the mad scramble to garner the sympathy and goodwill of the migrant labourers and their families. Starting from the debatable offer of buses to take them to their destinations and the counter that a large percentage of the so-called buses where actually three-wheelers and ambulances and vehicles that were not roadworthy -- it is a clear indication of the seriousness at the ground level. Poor and underutilization of funds, mismanagement at hospitals and health care centres and shameless photo-op sessions indicate that there is more politics than genuine sympathy for the migrant labourers.

Now that the Supreme Court is seized of the matter, it would be advisable to have a well researched and elaborate compendium to address all these issues, incorporate legal aspects, and frequently asked questions be part of the appendix. Establishment of control rooms and realtime assistance must be ensured so that the human misery can be addressed with a sense of purpose and professionalism.