Bhubaneswar: The state has issued a total of 4,900 licenses for the engagement of migrant workers outside the state over the past five years, as revealed by Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram SinghKhuntia in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to a question by Athagarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister SinghKhuntia provided detailed figures of migrant worker licenses issued annually in the state.
In 2019, a total of 801 licenses were issued for 51,808 migrant workers. This number increased in the following years, with 365 licenses for 24,633 workers in 2021, 1,466 licenses for 94,482 workers in 2022, 1,231 licenses for 81,232 workers in 2023, and 1,037 licenses for 70,142 workers in 2024.
The state government has also published a district-wise breakdown of the licenses issued, which shows the specific districts and the number of migrant workers sent outside the state from each region.
Minister SinghKhuntia further highlighted that the state is actively implementing the State Action Plan for the Safety and Welfare of Inter-State Migrant Workers.
A State-Level Task Force has also been constituted, chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister, to address issues related to distress migration.
The Task Force has conducted multiple meetings to discuss and strategize solutions, with representatives from various concerned departments.
