NHRC seeks SC intervention on Migrant Crisis, lists 10 Measures

On Friday, in a sou moto plea filed in the Apex Court, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) presented ten short term measures to mitigate the suffering faced by stranded migrants & sought the court’s intervention in the matter.

However, a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan is yet to issue any order to this effect. NHRC’s plea was among the 14 applications for intervention taken up by the court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Centre has supported NHRC’s intervention than the others.

Laying stress on quarantine & relief measures, the human rights body recommended collection of data of migrants at the point of departure & arrival. It also demanded a journey allowance to be paid as mandated under the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979. NHRC further recommended menstrual hygiene kit to be provided to each migrant woman & adolescent girl who are travelling. In addition, it sought shelter homes to accommodate special needs of lactating mothers, pregnant women, children & elderly.

In a bid to provide employment opportunities to the returnees, NHRC also suggested skill mapping of labour. To ensure medical facilities, the short-term suggestions included regular health check-ups along with food & water during & after their journey. It also asked that a helpdesk or helpline be set up to support migrant & destitute workers receive compensation, avoid delay in Shramik Special trains, & create a fund to disburse fixed compensation to migrants returning home.

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