Is Labour Department keeping track of migrating workers?

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: Lakhs of Assam’s youth go out of the state for better employment opportunities, and most of them work in the unorganised sector in other states. Numerous youth mysteriously die or go missing. There is no monitoring mechanism to keep track of these youths, as a result of which the parents or guardians remain in the dark as to their whereabouts or actual reason for death.

Two years ago, the state government had announced the setting up of a mechanism under the Labour Department to keep track of the youth employed outside the state. But, as of date, the mechanism is yet to be put in place. Recently, several trade unions requested the Labour Department to form an advisory committee so that information about the youth migrating to other states in the country can be kept. Two days ago, the Bajali district SP appealed to the goanburahs of the villages in the district to acquire the names, addresses and phone numbers of the youth employed outside the state so that some kind of assistance can be provided in the case of an emergency.

Labour department sources said that around 5 to 6 lakh youths of the state are employed in the private sector in other states. The problem is that these youth go outside the state on their own and procure employment there. So, it is not an easy task for them to keep track of these youths. If the youths provide information regarding their employment status to their local police station here or the respective gaonburahs, it would be easier for the department to extend a helping hand to them if required.

Sources said this large workforce prefers working outside the state as security guards, peons or hotel staff rather than within the state, as they are embarrassed to work here in those capacities. Most of the youth travel to the southern states, as the wages are higher there. During the time of the Covid pandemic, around 4 lakh youths returned to the state, as per official estimates.

Home department sources said that they are planning to rope in the local police stations and gaonburahs to collect the information of the migrating workers from their parents or guardians. This will enable collection of the required information regarding their employment status and present whereabouts.

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