THIS refers to your thought-provoking editorial on Exploitation of poor migrant workers (FE- March 12). Migration takes place under the pathariya system, wherein a work unit comprising a husband, wife and one or two children migrate together. Migrants from Bangladesh are often unaware that they are being trafficked, and are sometimes sold into prostitution or forced labour. Living conditions of migrant workers at the sites are unhealthy and terrible. Women are sexually exploited. Social protection laws are violated with impunity. In short, such migrant destinations are the underbelly of our economic growth and hold a mirror to any notion that this migration is "aspirational" in nature. Migrant smuggling from Bangladesh is a critical issue along the Gojadanga border. Unaware of their rights, or afraid to complain for fear of losing their jobs, the majority of these workers simply endure gross labor exploitation. There is a pressing need for the government to recognise that its laws and regulations facilitate the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable migrant workers, and therefore need to be amended.
Vinod C. Dixit
B-15 Jyotikalash Society
B/H Sundervan
Satellite
Ahmedabad, INDIA
[email protected]
