THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Police is grappling with challenges in effectively enforcing the provisions of the ‘Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979’, especially when it comes to the enumeration of inter-state workers within the state.
According to the stipulations of the act, details of migrant laborers from other states are required to be provided to the local police and labor office by the contractor who holds the license. In cases where these details are not submitted to the labor office, officers are expected to collect the information with the assistance of local police for law enforcement.
However, despite the legal requirements, effective implementation remains lacking. The laws seem to exist only on paper and are not put into action.
A recent investigation by Janam TV has highlighted the absence of such record registers in various police stations across Kerala. This absence of records has resulted in the unfortunate generalization of all workers from other states as potential criminals, a grievance voiced by distressed immigrant workers.
These so-called ‘guest workers’ often become victims of circumstances rather than being treated as suspects.
The Kerala government and police tend to address concerns about migrant laborers only when specific issues arise. For instance, after the incident of child molestation in Aluva, the state police rushed to collect details of workers from other states.
Critics argue that the current inspections by the police appear to be a mere formality, conducted only when problems surface. Similarly, guest workers have revealed that numerous criminals are forging identity documents and pretending as immigrant workers, engaging in criminal activities across Kerala.
These activities not only pose a threat to the local population but also cast suspicion on all immigrant workers. Furthermore, they have pointed out that the rush actions of the police are unlikely to effectively identify forged documents. There are also allegations that the state government has not yet fulfilled any of its earlier promises, including the mandatory provision of insurance services for the laborers.
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