INVC NEWS
Chennai,
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an MoU with the CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. (CSC SPV) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India (MeitY), on 10th August 2022 to work on a granular-level implementation of migrant workers’ protection methods. In continuation of the same, four Migrant Resource Centers (MRC) were inaugurated in the districts of Erode, Namakkal, Virudhunagar and Dindigul of Tamil Nadu (TN) between 18th and 20th August 2022 at the CSC’s operational hubs.
Spread out over 4 days, the inauguration was attended by several key stakeholders from the state Department of Labour, Police Department, State Women Commission, TN Construction Welfare Board, State Human Rights Commission, State Planning Commission, Information technology Department and NGOs. All stakeholders emphasized upon the urgency to work on strengthening ways for information dissemination and help migrants to access government schemes and facilities.
With reopening of workplaces and resumption of regular movement, there is an urgent need to equip migrant workers with timely information to protect their interests in the pursuit of better livelihoods. CSCs have been established to provide essential government services and cost-effective e-Governance assistance, under one roof, as easy access points for delivery of various digital services to rural and urban people in India, thereby contributing to a digitally and financially inclusive society. IOM supports the establishment and running of MRCs as “one-stop shops” for information and services for migrants in both source and host states migrants to obtain accurate information on legal migration procedures and documentation required, how to stay healthy and safe during the migration process, and the rights and responsibilities that migrants have throughout the migration process. IOM’s National Officer, Mr. Amit Chowdhury said that “Migrant Resource Centres at CSC’s operational hubs will benefit migrant workers in accessing e-governance and migration assistance services and will ensure safer mobility of migrant workers.”
Mr. Vinod Kuriakose, Tamil Nadu State Head Operations, CSC was hopeful in the partnership supporting migrants in accessing information and availing the benefits of central and state government schemes. The same confidence was echoed by Mr. Bala Murugan, TNA, who said that the “IOM and CSC partnership is especially geared towards supporting the government’s agenda for maximizing the reach of the social security net, especially in the case of the highly mobile migrant workers.”
In rural India, CSCs are also agents-of-change, promoting rural entrepreneurship and building rural capacities and livelihoods. Considering how both these initiatives are geared towards a similar purpose, IOM with its grassroots implementing partner, the Tamil Nadu Alliance (TNA), set up 4 MRCs within the premises or close to the vicinity of the CSCs with the following objectives:
- To provide independent, verified and up-to-date information services and advice to migrant workers (potential and existing) towards informed decision-making for safe and planned migration and legal accountability to maximize the returns on their mobility, social integration, economic and social advancement.
- To facilitate the provision of coordinated information and services that are complementary to existing services so that MRC services add value rather than duplicate existing services of the CSCs.
With the opening of MRCs in CSC premises, IOM will ensure that migrants would be able to access web-enabled e-governance services, including applications for Passport, PAN card, Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card, various Government certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills. People can access high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, tele-law, entertainment as well as other private services through CSCs.[1]
MRCs would also play a role in helping migrants to understand how to access and improve their financial inclusion which will contribute to their long-term personal and professional growth. Through MRCs, IOM will coordinate and organize trainings for migrants on Pre-Departure Orientation, Post-Arrival Orientation and Pre-Employment Orientation to prepare migrants for their safe migration journey. The MRC will also extend psycho-social support to needy migrant workers and cater to the to the needs of women migrant workers and accompanying children.
Mr. Chowdhury concluded by saying that the partnership between IOM and CSC will create a multi-stakeholder platform to promote a sustainable information assistance framework for Inter State Migrant Workers (ISMW). “The initiative will develop a repository of migrant workers including their job roles and industry specifications to facilitate identification of and registration to the relevant social security and welfare schemes.” The partnership will supplement the overall objective of the Central and State Governments to uphold the rights of migrants through specialized awareness generation and support services to ensure a safe, successful and durable migration experience. Similar initiatives will be taken in Uttar Pradesh to ensure safe migration.
