The Mamata Banerjee government on Tuesday appointed Trinamul Rajya Sabha member Samirul Islam as the chairperson of West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board, the only such body in the country, as part of its larger plan to give migrant worker welfare more priority ahead of the Lok Saha polls.
Islam, who has been working for the welfare of migrant workers for years, replaces law minister Moloy Ghatak as the board chairperson.
"His popularity among migrant workers and his commendable job in ensuring a better life for them were the reasons behind his selection as the party's Rajya Sabha candidate.... Now, his appointment as the board chair indicates that the government wants special focus on the board," said a senior state government official.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly asked the administration to focus on migrant workers in the seventh edition of Duare Sarkar to start on September 1.
Rough estimates suggest 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal work in Indian states and another five lakh abroad, mainly in the Gulf. A senior Nabanna official, however, said the actual number would be more, around 38 lakh or so.
Murshidabad, Malda, North and South Dinajpur, Birbhum and East Midnapore are among the districts with a high number of migrant workers.
"The state government will open special desks at the (Duare Sarkar) camps to register the names of migrant workers from every district and prepare a database. The database will help the state government reach out to the populace with welfare schemes...," said a source.
The list of benefits includes financial support worth Rs 2,00,00 to families in case of the accidental death of a migrant worker, Rs 50,000 in case of normal death of a migrant worker, Rs 25,000 to transport the body of a migrant worker from his workplace and Rs 3,000 for last rites. In case of accidental disability, a migrant worker will get Rs 1,00,000 if the disability is 80 per cent or more, and Rs 50,000 for minor disabilities.
"The board has been given a free hand to announce any other welfare scheme according to time and situation, which means the welfare of migrant workers is very important for the state government," said a source.
Islam, who took charge on Tuesday, said the board's target was not only to offer financial support to migrant workers and their families during a crisis but also to ensure their return to Bengal by creating job opportunities.
"Though other states have the same problem with migrant workers, our chief minister Mamata Banerjee is the first who formed such a board. We want to bring them back to the state in phases," said Islam.
It was clear that Islam sought to address the issue of migrant workers with sensitivity, with it becoming a political issue. The Opposition is trying to create a narrative that people from Bengal go elsewhere as there are not enough job opportunities here.
"The Opposition's argument is to an extent fallacious as it doesn't capture the benefits the state gets owing to the high number of migrant labourers who send inward remittances.... While the government recognises this positive side of migration from Bengal, they cannot highlight it because of political reasons," said an economist who did not wish to be named. "So, the government is trying to focus on their welfare and a commitment that they would try to bring them back...."
