On September 1, 2021, the Labour & Employment Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Swami Prasad Maurya inaugurated a Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in the heart of Gorakhpur. The MRC has been set up by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Manav Seva Sansthan – SEVA (MSS), a not-for-profit organisation, in a project-based partnership to promote safe migration. Mr. Maurya said, “the Uttar Pradesh government is working to ensure the safety and rights of migrants working in different states. The Migrant Resource Centre will add to the efforts of the state government.”

The MRC will have local and regional information for migrant workers, including local industries and factories, schools, creche facilities, police stations, housing localities, hospitals, health centers and markets, and the like. MSS will manage the operations of the MRC as the grassroots partner, with qualified personnel. On the ease of access, Rajesh Mani, Director of MSS, said that migrants will have the option to avail the MRC’s services in online and offline mode, like visiting the center itself. The center will work with IOM for the welfare, security and rights of both, national and international migrants, who could get any information via direct phone calls and emails to the center.

Migrant workers are a mobile and diverse human resource in India. They have evolved with the developmental needs and opportunities. For instance, women, now more than ever, migrate not just in a family unit, but in search of work opportunities, as equal earning partners or as single mothers. “The state government has launched several schemes for the welfare of migrant workers, and we will provide all assistance to the Migrant Resource Centre,” said Maurya.

The member of the Legislative Assembly Mr Jatashankar Tripathi expressed confidence that the MRC will be a milestone in providing welfare to migrant laborers.

Sanjay Awasthi, IOM Head of Office, India while emphasizing upon the need to have more MRCs established across the state, said that “with migrants’ remittances touching nearly Rs 2 trillion, non-residents are a valuable resource for the economy of the country.” He assured that IOM will work with MSS and the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure safe migration. “The center will help stranded migrants and I hope that the MRC establishes its identity as a model center. We will also work for the development of migrant families in NOIDA and Delhi NCR”, added Mr. Mani.

The concept of an MRC is not new. Since starting operations in India, almost two decades ago, IOM India set up MRCs in some southern states, which were later adopted by the respective state governments. The new MRC is being set up as part of the Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking in the Fashion Industry (CREST Fashion) project of IOM. The project is funded by the Laudes Foundation, partners with multi-national enterprises and local companies operating in South Asia and Southeast Asia’s apparel and home textile supply chains to promote responsible business conduct in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The MRC will be extremely valuable in addressing the information paucity in supply chain networks, by making workers aware of their social and legal rights. 

The inauguration was followed by a coordination meeting to discuss safe migration issues in the garment, textile and other industries. Representatives from government departments (Labour & Employment, Health), police department, Garment Businesses Association, railways, recruitment agencies, NGOs, trade union, media, and migrant workers to discuss safe migration issues.

For more information, please contact Amit Chowdhury at IOM - India. Tel:+91 9792940444, Email: IOMNewDelhi@iom.int