Church Leaders Advocate for Rights and Welfare of India’s Migrant Workers

Mumbai, August 19, 2024: Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) organized a two day workshop at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Matunga, Mumbai on August 16 and 17 to address the pressing challenges faced by interstate migrant workers in India. The event, which brought together 63 participants including Provincials, members of the Young at Risk (YAR) group from South Asia, representatives from DB4M, religious congregations working with migrants, and civil society organizations aimed to devise strategies for enhancing the living conditions and rights of these workers. Representatives from the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the CBCI Office for Labour presented their programs on caring for migrants.

The workshop was inaugurated by Bishop Alwyn D'Silva, the chairman of FABC Office for Human Development (OHD).  He highlighted the plight of migrant workers, referring to them as the "new poor" and emphasizing their struggles with isolation, poor housing conditions and lack of access to welfare benefits. He underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive legal framework to protect their rights.

Mr. Kingshuk Sarkar stated "Migrant workers in the informal sector face significant challenges. Although industries like construction are deemed formal, these workers are often treated informally and denied the benefits they deserve. There is a pressing need for unionization and enhanced legal protections for these workers." Christine Nathan advocated for the rights to work and food for all migrant workers, calling for unity and collective action to secure these rights while Fr. Francis Bosco outlined key issues like social security, fair wages, housing rights, climate change and fair working hours especially for women in the labour force.

The workshop also showcased successful initiatives by Don Bosco and other religious organizations, such as bridge schools for migrant children and village vigilance groups. The event concluded with a strong call for collaboration and networking among various organizations, including trade unions to better support migrant workers across India.

By Fr. Jaison Vadassery