Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued a total of 1,107 licences for the engagement of over 70,000 migrant workers outside the state in the past 18 months, Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram SinghKhuntia informed the state assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by senior Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Minister SinghKhuntia said that the licences were issued under the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, covering 70,360 workers through 1,107 registered contractors.
Among the districts, Bolangir recorded the highest number of migrant workers at 51,581, followed by Nuapada (8,655), Ganjam (2,553), Bargarh (1,459), Dhenkanal (1,064), Kalahandi (819), and Khurda (735).
The minister also highlighted that migrant workers employed overseas are regulated under the Government of India’s Emigration Act. A Task Force, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, has been formed to address the issues faced by distressed migrant workers. Three meetings of the Task Force have been held so far with various departments and initiatives are underway to provide alternative livelihood opportunities in villages.
SinghKhuntia added that the government is focused on ensuring both the welfare of migrant workers and the smooth regulation of inter-state employment, while also taking steps to prevent distress migration.
