Recommendations for developing “Good Practices for Wellbeing of Migrant Workers in the Himalayas”

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A) Working Conditions:

As highlighted during discussions on day 1, on the issue of ‘Working Conditions’, the workers in the Himalayan region work in the most abysmal conditions, with constant threat of death looming over their heads. Working in the high altitude regions, these workers lack protective gears, social security schemes on accidents and death, unsafe working conditions and ignorance by the relevant bodies, rendering them vulnerable.

1) Given the characteristics of remote and difficult regions, what kind of special provisions/ additional provisions do you feel are necessary to address the plight of the migrant workers in unorganized / construction sectors employed in such regions?

2) What in your opinion would enable the creation of good and safe working conditions for the construction workers?

3) What are the good practices which in your opinion are successful in improving the working conditions of the construction workers?

B) Living Conditions:

As highlighted during discussions on day 2, on the issue of ‘LivingConditions’, the workers in the Himalayan region live in the most appalling conditions, with lack of safe and hygienic living environment and effective social security schemes to cover health issues .Unsafe drinking water, safety, unsafe shelters and lack of health and PDS coverage, render these workers and their families, especially children, vulnerable.

1) What with regard to living conditions render these workers most vulnerable? How can this be rectified?

2) What social security schemes (insurance and pensions) and programs could be made available to these workers? What are the procedures for providing the same?

3) What kind of specific provisions would you suggest for health care & hygiene, shelter & safety, dignity & social security?

4) What are the good practices which in your opinion are successful in improving the living conditions of the construction workers?

C) Vulnerable groups:

Among this vulnerable group, it was identified that women, children and cross-border migrants are the most vulnerable. While, the children suffer from malnourish, abuse, child labour and lack of care, women lack the basic maternal and child care benefits. Women, also, face further exploitation due to differential wages and abuse at work place. The cross-border migrants, due to their non-residence status and often illegal movement are subjected to gross violation of human and basic workers right.

1) Do you feel the camps where the migrant workers reside are gender sensitive?

2) What are the factors that contributes to this gender insensitivity?What are your views about rectifying the situation?

3) What would you recommend as necessary provisions for ensuring a safe environment for the children and these camps.

4) What are the necessary steps that can be taken to ensure productive and holistic development of the children of the migrant workers?

5) The Himalayan region attracts cross-border migrants from Nepal who come in to build the border roads. Given this what do you recommendations to ensure that they are not discriminated?

6) What are the good practices which in your opinion are successful in improving the lives of these vulnerable groups ?

D) Others:

1) What are your recommendations for “Good Practices for the overall Well-being of Workers in the Himalayas”?*

2) How do you ensure the effective implementation of National Child Labour Policy and other schemes and policies for the benefit of the construction workers and their families?

3) What are the steps that would ensure better coordination between the government departments for effective implementation of schemes?

4) What kind of checks/restraints would you recommend to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are not compromised in the remote and difficult stretches of the country?

Organizer - Pragya

Pragya, through its project on “Essential education and health care for migrant workers in the Himalayas”, has been working in the five Himalayan districts of Leh, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamoli, West Kameng, and Tawang, benefitting thousands of migrant workers and their families.

If you have any query regarding e-consultation, contact us: research@pragya.org