India – While migrant workers are among the most severely affected by COVID-19 across India, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined Sphere India to improve their safety and welfare. Through webinars on forced labour and exploitation risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, IOM trained volunteers, who now support local administrations in improving social protection of internal migrant workers.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, migrant workers’ vulnerabilities and inequalities have been exacerbated due to cramped housing conditions, loss of income and non-payment of wages. At the same time, practicing physical distancing and undergoing quarantine are privileges that only some migrants received. 

“Migrants are suffering from a lack of space, provisions, fixed incomes, health coverage, and job security”, remarked a participant of the webinar working for development agencies. Another webinar participant added, “This impacts every aspect of migrants’ lives and increases their exposure to human trafficking to a great extent.”

Upon the Government of India’s request, Sphere India formed the COVID-19 Academy to build capacities for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response among individuals and volunteers from civil society organizations willing to support local bodies.

On 1 May, 2020, the volunteers attended the first webinar delivered by IOM India on Measuring the Risk of Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Migrant Labour During COVID-19 Pandemic in India. The following two webinars, held on 14 and 27 May, covered the Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers in Indian Garment Industry and Remedial Measures to Cater to the Problem of Migrant Labourers, Modern Slavery and Forced Labour in the context of COVID-19, respectively. 

“The webinars were very insightful. I think there is a strong need to sensitize more social workers through these kinds of sessions,” commented a participant of the webinar.

As a result, more than 3,600 individuals were trained online by IOM with a relevant direct impact on migrant workers’ lives. Volunteers are now helping migrant workers overcome the pandemic through direct assistance by providing food, water and transportation. Additionally, volunteers are currently contributing to activities related to migrant workers’ social care, quarantine, and treatment of affected migrants.

‘’The webinars offered a very insightful platform for civil society organizations and development practitioners from across the country, helping them gain a holistic understanding of the plight of migrant workers along with a useful guidance on how best to meaningfully address their needs and problems,’’ expressed Sanjay Awasthi, IOM’s India Head of Office who was invited as a panelist in the first two webinars.

The initiative was prompted by the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and implemented by Sphere India, a national coalition of humanitarian agencies promoting quality and accountability in humanitarian action, in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and HCL Foundation.

All sessions were live streamed over YouTube and are available for those who could not attend.

These sessions were conducted within the framework of IOM’s Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking in Fashion project (CREST Fashion).

Recognizing the need to promote ethical recruitment for migrant workers within the apparel industry, IOM is implementing CREST Fashion. The project, supported by Laudes Foundation, seeks to enable actors along the supply chain to address risks of labour exploitation and abuse in their operations in Bangladesh, India and Thailand. Through its direct partnerships with companies in the fashion industry, IOM provides strategic and practical solutions tailored to partners’ needs and supports longer term sustainable change for the better protection of labour and human rights of migrant workers through ethical recruitment channels, transparent employment terms, and sustainable and inclusive supply chains. 

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