Networking for the welfare of migrants in Goa

In the last 10 years, the influx of migrants has seen exponential growth to fuel Goa’s tourism.

According to the 2011 census, Goa has 18.5 per cent migrants from other Indian states.

Migrants in Goa have been a valuable workforce and resource behind the prosperity of Goa State. The contribution made by the migrants to the development of Goa can not be ignored. Goa has thus provided employment opportunities to migrants from states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Northeastern states, Bihar, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other Indian states. The place of migrants in the employment sector includes mining, tourism, fishing, domestic workers, construction, daily wage labourers, sanitation workers, agriculture etc.

The migrant’s work is immensely acknowledged but their working conditions, health, security, sanitation and other benefits are mostly neglected. Caritas India through its Pravasi Bandhu program addresses some of these issues in Goa by creating a support system for migrants through the establishment of Migrant Resource Centres and through the development of a Migrant Friendly Policy for the state of Goa.

A networking meeting was organised on August 30, 2022, by Caritas Goa with the NGOs and religious organisations working with inter-state workers (migrant workers) in the state to facilitate the social security schemes ensured by the Government.

The meeting attendees work with diverse migrant groups in various Goa neighbourhoods. This network seeks to have a wider reach and share knowledge with many people for their benefit.

Additionally, it sought to identify weaknesses in the current framework and devise a course of action.

The Pravasi Bandhu team shared information related to several social security schemes including labour identification card, Building and other construction workers Act registration, E-shram, health ID card, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Vector-borne disease, non-communicable disease camps, Tuberculosis, woman and child development schemes, postal benefits, Pravasi Bandhu mobile App and One nation one ration card.

In an open discussion, a proposal was placed to come up with the strategy to form a group that would ensure flowing of information regarding the registration of workers into social security schemes and working together at different levels. The representatives present in the meeting were from Arz, Childline, Rishta NGO, Domestic and Migrant Workers Forum, Jesuit, KDS Konkan Development Society, Kanosa Seva Kendra, SVD, Deaf-blind project, Commission for migrants, Ziran Niktean P school -zuarinagar, Sr. Shirley (SHG), Kripa NGO, CSJP, Saligao Parish Priest.