COVID 19 – Guest Workers Braced by the Labour Department

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
In the backdrop of the Covid 19 outbreak , as of the information and data provided till 11th April 2020 , a total of 18,451 camps has been setup where an approximate of 3,34,526 migrant labourers are staying in Kerala . More than 4700 camps has been visited and assessed by the concerned (Labour camp Co-ordinators) Assistant Labour Officers and District Labour Officers as on 11th April 2020.

The basic needs and facilities of the workers such as drinking water, cooking facilities has been ensured. Laborer’s who prefer to have food of their choice (native) such as chapati , sabji has also been provided . This also includes the supply of milk through Milma to the camps. Along with that the food from the District Administration’s Community kitchen has also been provided to the workers. Besides, if the workers wish to make their own food , then required items are supplied to them as well. Through the Labour contractors the provision of food , accommodation and drinking water has been well assured .

Call Centres at the Labour Commissionerate and Helpdesk at the District Labour Office of the respective Districts has been set up to address the concerns and problems of the Guest workers.

Experts in regional languages such as Hindi , Odiya , Bengali , Assamese are also were in the camp in order to create awareness about Covid 19 among the workers ensuring that they maintain personal hygiene and social distancing . Basic hygiene essentials including mask and sanitizers has been provided to the workers. . The inconvinence caused due to the lockdown has been overcome by providing medical care and counselling at the labour camps by the Health Department of respective District Administration.

To ensure entertainment and mental peace during the lockdown ,the guest workers in the camps are provided with chess , carrom board , TV etc.