These views were expressed in a webinar organised by an NGO Samarthan, Bhopal associated with PRIA, New Delhi, SPARC, Mumbai, Slum Dwellers International, Mumbai, NARSS, Delhi, National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS), Unnati, Ahmedabad, CYSD, Bhubaneswar and Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow. Academicians, Researchers and Social Activists participated webinar.

Speakers pointed out that 3-4 thousand trains may be needed to complete the journey for all these migrants wanting to return home. Migrants are huddled together in parks and public grounds, confused and anxious, awaiting information about their tickets, date and time of journey and the station from which to board. A large number of these migrants have run out of charge on their mobile and also unable to put fresh money to access data, SMS or call.

Different, contradictory and confusing rules and orders by different state governments continue to cause further obstacles to migrants returning home. Estimates based on latest rounds of NSS and extrapolation from 2011 census data suggest that nearly 5-6 crore migrant workers are forced to run away from various economic centres in the face of the lockdown as their livelihood has stopped suddenly without any income to stay (and pay rent) or to feed themselves and their families.

The pattern of migration over the past decade has shown most workers are migrating from economically poorer districts of the eastern and northern India to livelihood opportunities in western and southern regions of the country. The continued higher fertility rates in the states of north and east have been supplying youthful workers, largely in informal, insecure and low-paid jobs and occupations, to western and southern states of the country.

A survey of 2204 migrant workers returning to 143 Gram Panchayats in 4 districts of Chhattisgarh carried out by Samarthan shows that migrants are not capable of providing food security to their families. Most of them have experience and skills in construction related jobs, and only 15 per cent know any agriculture skills. So, how are they going to feed themselves, since they have no money left after returning home? MNREGA is only a temporary option for some, as nearly a third does not have job cards.

In the present situation of acute distress of migrant labour in the country, many dignitaries from social sectors, Dr. Rajesh Tandon, President, PRIA, New Delhi & UNESCO Chair, Ms. Sheela Patel, Director, SPARC, Mumbai, Chairperson, Slum Dwellers International, Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Former Prof. JNU, Chair NARSS, Swatch Bharat Mission (Rural), Prof. Ravi Srivastava, former Prof. JNU, member, National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS), Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Director Samarthan, Bhopal, Mr. Binoy Acharya, Director, Unnati, Ahmedabad, Mr. Jagadananda, Co-founder & Chief Mentor, CYSD, Bhubaneswar, former Information Commissioner and Mr. Ashok Singh, Director, Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow released a joint statement.

They said that migrants are depressed, angry, anxious and exhausted; they need urgent support for the short-term over next 3-4 months; policies and programmes are needed for their livelihoods, skilling and emotional well-being in the coming period. There is an urgent need for coordinated policy actions both to facilitate their journey home as well as rehabilitation on their return home. (IPA Service)