Bhubaneswar: Persons travelling to foreign states or countries must first register themselves so that the government can provide timely help in case of any problem in future, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo said Monday.
Speaking at the first and inaugural meeting of the high-level task force, which was set up by the state government October 14 to recommend measures to address the issue of distress migration in the state, Singh Deo said the problem of labour displacement will be reduced to some extent by providing people with permanent means of livelihood, or employment, and removing middlemen and agents. “They (middlemen) lure the labourers by promising high income. But then they (labourers) are left to work day and night without proper payment.
To address the problem, the task force has been formed on behalf of the government and a strategy is being prepared,” Singh Deo said. As part of the strategy, he said, labour contractors would henceforth be licensed. “They should be checked from time to time. Action will be taken against illegal contractors,” he said. The government has planned to develop a mobile app to maintain data of the migrant workers. Also, a special health card will be issued for them, Singh Deo added. He was joined by Deputy CM Pravati Parida, who is also a member of the task force. It is worth noting that around 8.38 lakh people returned to Odisha post Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024, about 1036 people have been given labour license while 96 times inspection processes were held. Panchayat survey has been carried out in 29 villages of 20 blocks in four districts – Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Nuapada- during the period. “In order to prevent this problem, there is a need to increase the wages of the workers and provide them with these wages at the right time,” Singh Deo said.
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To prevent illegal traffic under the ISMW Act, 1979, tracking and where necessary, the joint efforts of the Red Police and the administration should be done, the DY CM said. A toll-free number ‘180034567003’ has been provided by the state government. “This can be solved by creating awareness and creating sustainable employment opportunities in rural areas and using government approved services such as banks, UPI,” Singh Deo added. Other members of the task force Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, and secretaries from relevant departments.
