Odisha launches ‘Mobile Migrant Resources Centre’ as interstate labour migration goes unabated

In an attempt to create awareness among the migrating of workforces in labour-migration affected pockets, the Odisha government on Monday launched its first Mobile Migrant Resource Centre.

It’s pertinent to note here that the coastal State is infamous for exodus of skilled and unskilled labourers to other parts of the country in quest of bread and butter and absence of remunerative employment opportunities are attributed for large exodus of human resources from the State.

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Those migrating are often trapped in exploitative practices of tyrannical employers and tragic death of many migrant workers of Odisha are reported at regular intervals.

It may be recalled here that at least nine Odia workers were killed in the blast at the Sigachi Industries’ unit in Telangana last month. Similarly six Odia workers died in a granite quarry explosion in Andhra Pradesh two days back.

taking the toll of Odisha workers to nine. The deceased was identified as Purbachandra Sahoo, a native of Sukarpada in Cuttack.

The Centre has become operational with the joint collaboration of the State’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department with support from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Migrant Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMTF). Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo inaugurated the Centre.

This initiative envisages to create awareness in the 5 migrant-prone blocks of Ganjam and Kendrapara districts, said officials.

Currently, the Odisha government is taking various livelihood development programs and skill development, employment generating initiatives for women, youth, and returnee migrants, said Singh Deo, who heads the high level Task Force committee formed to help migrant workers.

“Our efforts have started to make them self-reliant by providing employment in their own areas. Today’s mobile migrant resource center will help to curb the distressed migration and will make people awareness of it. For this, a toll-free migration resources centre helpline no. – 1800-345-7885 has been issued by the government. Migrants can dial this number in any emergency situation or to get information”, he further stated.

“This mobile resources center will serve as a reliable and replicable model for the state. It will support potential migrants and help develop a structured framework for helping migrants and frame a sustainable solution to migration challenges”, said Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department, Arabinda Kumar Padhee.

State’s Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathi, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Protector of Emigrants, Sunil Shah, Additional Secretary, Agriculture, Subhranshu Mishra, Dr. Sangram Keshari Pattanaik, Joint Director of Agriculture and Nagendra Mallik, Assistant Director of Agriculture from Climate resilience Cell, Amit Chaudhary, Ankita Surabhi, Nabanita, Rutumbhara Priyadarshini from United Nations International Organization for Migration, officials from the Department of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance, Food and Agriculture Organization, Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASAN) also graced the occasion.