As the result of the lockdown and loss of jobs in different urban pockets of India, a larger number of migrant workers who are mostly daily wage earners have already returned to their respective villages. 

The following are some key issues they face:

• Likely to have little or no money as the festival season had just passed and most of them had returned back to their migration destination only a few days back. Also money where due at the month end would not have been paid to them.
• Families likely to have little or short supply of food as the harvest is still to be done when annual or seasonal replenishments through local purchases are made.
• Some migrants have returned to their villages/hometowns and some are held up in transit.
• People involved in informal agriculture and other allied activities are dependent only on wages; now they do not have any work and hence no source of income (for example rickshaw and e-rickshaw pullers, construction workers, masons, street sellers etc. in the urban areas).
• To reduce their vulnerabilities the following actions are suggested.

7.1.2.1 Database of Migrant Workers who have returned

Priority: Immediate

Development of an authentic database Gram Panchayat / village wise of the migrant workers who have already returned will be the first step to address their needs. Frontline workers of govt (ANM /ASHA / AWW), NGOs working in that area, SHGs, Youth groups, Adolescent groups, Panchayat functionaries and PRI members can play a crucial role in developing this database.

Tracking this database is important to understand if someone has come back from-

• an already COVID vulnerable place and may require special medical care.
• if the family has some elders or people with co-morbidities. All these cases will need special attention by healthcare professionals.

A basic format can be used for creating the list of migrants returning to a village. See Appendix B3 for a format that can be used for tracking migrant labour returning to villages. This format can also be customised as per local situation/requirements.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Take a lead role and support government / panchayats in developing this database - collection, authentication and collation of the data.
• Where possible, develop and operationalize software for the management of this data at the district level COVID-19 Response Cell.

7.1.2.2 Panchayat – Food Availability Plan

Priority: Immediate

Due to restricted movement and job/wage losses, vulnerable families, especially those who have migrants who have returned, are likely to have severe food shortages. Thus panchayats/villages need to develop the food availability plan for such families. Panchayats also need to develop linkages with concerned departments and NGOs working in that area for the implementation of the plan. Distribution of food kit in line with agreed norms of Sphere India Standards (2100 kcals per person per day) for at least 2-3 months will be very critical. A model food kit based on the above criteria is mentioned in Appendix B1.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support panchayats/villages in the development of the food availability plans for the vulnerable families.
• Support panchayats/villages in the development of convergence plans for the implementation of the food availability plan for vulnerable families.
• Support in the procurements, preparation and distribution of food preparation kit as per prescribed norms.

7.1.2.3 Link Families to Government Schemes

Priority: Immediate

There are a series of rights and entitlement schemes operational by the govt (Central & State). In addition to that, the govt (Central and State) have announced COVID-19 specific schemes like Garib Kalyan Yojna. Linkages of the vulnerable families to these schemes will reduce their vulnerability to a great extent. See Appendix B5 for guidelines.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Orientation of PRI members on the recently announced COVID-19 specific schemes.
• Build mass awareness on the details of those schemes- eligibility, entitlement and application processes.
• Help vulnerable families to apply for relevant schemes.

7.1.2.4 Link Construction Migrant Workers to Government Benefits

Priority: Immediate

The Central govt has issued advisory to the state govt to use INR 52,000 crores of fee received through cess from Building and construction companies for ensuring the social security of building and construction workers. Unfortunately, many workers who are involved in construction work have not been registered with the Construction Welfare Board. There is a need to initiate an online registration process that enables them to get access to social security from the state. The above mentioned Central govt advisory is mentioned in Appendix B4. Also listed in the appendix are guidelines on how to facilitate this.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Orientation of PRI members on the online registration of construction labourers with Construction Welfare Board and importance of labour cards.
• Build mass awareness about construction labourers registration processes with the Construction Welfare Board.
• Facilitate and help building and construction workers apply for the special social security support due to COVID-19.

7.1.2.5 Link to MGNREGS

Priority: Subsequent

MGNREGS can be a good scheme to ensure cash availability for the vulnerable families in this time of distress. Thus adequate effort need to be made to help rural communities to get access to wages through MGNREGS. This could be taken up at an appropriate time once the restrictions on movement is withdrawn. Also adequate efforts to be made for quick payment of wages to the workers of MGNREGS.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support vulnerable families in the updation of their MGNREGS card and proper bank linkages.
• Undertake work demand campaign at the village/panchayat level.

7.1.2.6 Treat with Respect

Priority: Immediate

There are chances that migrant labourer’s families who are returning back to villages might be discriminated against / stigmatized due to a lot of mis-information regarding COVID-19. This would further increase their vulnerabilities. Thus adequate efforts need to be taken up to build awareness with correct information. The communication plan should be locally contextualized and planned. Convincing opinion leaders at the village level can be a key strategy.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support the government and local bodies in developing communication/awareness plans and material.
• Provide technical support in designing materials including digital content for mass distribution.
• Take a lead in the implementation of the plan.

7.1.2.7 Psycho-Social Support

Priority: Immediate

This type of pandemic creates a lot of mental strain, anxiety and depression. This might create impediments for them to return to their normal life. Thus there will be a need to create counseling by trained counsellors for providing psycho-social support to such people in the subsequent time.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support govt in setting up such support mechanisms.
• Support the government with professionals to run such services in the state/districts.

7.1.2.8 Harvest of standing crops

Priority: Subsequent

This is also the time when the standing crops need to be harvested. Thus Panchayats need to develop plans to support villagers in the harvesting of the crops. This could be operational once the restrictions are eased. Also there will be a need for coordination with the government for purchase and transportation of the harvest to the nearest mandis. An estimation of the quantum of produce in coordination with the village level NGOs functionaries and panchayats and creating a village wise database may help in collective strategies by the state.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Technically support the panchayats in the development of such engagement plans.
• Orientation of the agricultural workers on the importance of following physical distancing norms.
• Support the govt in the estimation of produce by creating a villages/ panchayat wise database of quantum of harvested crops.
• Support the government for the immediate release of money against the purchased crops to the farmers.

7.1.2.9 Facilitate Return to Work

Priority: Subsequent

When the situation becomes normal, there will be a need to assist workers, who are willing to go back to their workplaces to start work. Also support will be needed to help them receive pending wages/salaries in their earlier workplace. Labour dept has a big role to play in this regard.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Build awareness among the labourers to get registered with labour dept.
• Support in receiving unpaid wages for work completed.
• Assist with return to work plans.