The Jan Adhikar Manch on Monday urged the State Government to coordinate efforts and action with other State Governments and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to enable migrant workers reach their homes and families. Until then they need to be given two square meals a day along with safe and healthy living arrangements. Equally ensure that they are paid all wages that are due to them by making the necessary arrangements, the Manch said in a letter to CM Naveen Patnaik.
Citing that over one lakh of workers from Odisha are stranded in other States who in utter difficulties are pleading to the Odisha Government to help them reach home, the Manch requested the CM to come to their rescue. It apprehended that the migrant workers may attempt to reach there on foot repeating the odd experience of past if immediate measures are not taken.
"It is extremely concerning that workers are succumbing to depression and anxiety in this atmosphere of fear around the pandemic. They are simply biding time without any work in relief camps and shelters only longing for their families or near and dear ones. Their family members are also undergoing many hardships and emotional turmoil. We cannot rule out the possibility that something untoward may happen in the days to come given the conditions of relief camps and shelters and workers’ own mental agony and uncertainty,” said the Manch in its letter.