KOCHI: To ensure better living and job condition for migrant labourers, the district administration has sent notices to 117 institutions to improve their facilities. The decision came after an inspection carried out by various local self-government bodies under the instruction of District Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla. The notice was issued to all institutions that scored less than six points in the evaluation.
The quality of the building in which migrant labourers reside, the expanse of their rooms, the number of people staying in one room, cleanliness, ventilation, toilet and bathroom facilities etc. were taken into consideration when the evaluation was done. A total of 24 marks were given and institutions were divided into four categories based on score secured. A total of 374 institutions got marks between seven and 12, while 547 got marks between 13 and 18.
They were also given instructions to improve their functioning. If they fail to act on the notice, they will be fined and strict action will be taken. Ninety-two institutions got more than 19 marks. The district administration decided to encouraged these institutions and will be made a model to others. In total 1,139 institutions in 13 municipalities, 82 panchayats and one corporation were inspected. Institutions that were given instructions to improve will see repeated evaluation. Contractors under whom migrant labourers work are also being roped in to ensure a better work environment.
More than 5 lakh migrant labourers reside in various parts of the district, the highest in the state. As part of the Adithi Devo Bhava Campaign, a drive organised to ensure a safer working condition for migrant labourers, health screening programmes were conducted. More than 10,000 workers were screened from 114 different camps in three different stages.
Though no serious diseases were found, checks showed there were chances of communicable diseases spreading among them due to lack of healthy living condition. This led to the inspection of their living spaces. The inspection was carried out by taluk, village and local self-government bodies, health department, labour department and police following the instructions given by the Collector.
5L Number of migrant labourers who reside in various parts of Ernakulam district, the highest in the state