Orissa migrant labourers continue to suffer

Even though more than 2.5 million people live as seasonal migrant laborers in Orissa, there is no let-up in their suffering. In the latest incidents, two migrant laborers from Patrapur block of Ganjam District died at work sites outside.

According to the sources, Dola Pradhan (50) of Khariaguda village died when she came under stone while working in a tunnel at Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. Similaryly, Santanu Panda (34) of Kanirida village under Surangi Panchayat died suddenly when he was engaged in a building construction work at Mumbai construction work at Mumbai. These are, however, only sample of a long range on similar incidents.

The labour department has blamed the laborers and dalals for this incident. State Labor Commissioner CTM Suguna admitted that around 1.8 million people migrate from Orissa every year. Of these, only 50,000 are registered. As a result, it is virtually impossible to ensure that migrants receive a minimum wage, enjoy full labor rights, and receive compensation in the event of sickness or death.

But Pravasi Odia Sramika Surakhya Manch (POSSM), an organization who claims to be aware of the migrant laboures, estimates that there are over 2 million people working outside the state, including 700,000 in Surat, 300,000 in Gandhidham, Kandla, Bharuch, Olanga and other parts of Gujarat, 200,000 in Mumbai and Pune, 500,000 in Kerala, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, and the remaining in places like Kolkata, New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

Besides these, nearly 500,000-700,000 seasonal migrants shuttle between Orissa and other destinations every year. But, most of the labourers suffer and even fall into death due to the relentless torture, sources said.