A framework for such coordination in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between GoI (MoLE) and State Labour Department of Governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with the facilitation of the ILO. With this, both states have formulated a time-bound and result oriented action plan to benefit migrant workers, especially those working in the brick kilns sector. Subsequent to the signing of MoU, an Inter State Coordination Committee has been constituted at Central Level on July 6, 2012, to create a sustainable institutional mechanism to look into the issues of inter-state migration across India.

Steps taken after signing of MoU

The Department of Labour and ESI has already constituted the State Coordination Cell for Migrant Workers at the office of Labour Commissioner, Odisha and the District Level Facilitation Cells at the district level in the state to track distressed seasonal migrant workers.

Eleven Migration Prone districts have been identified namely Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Sonepur, Bargarh, Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Rayagada and Nowrangpur for concerted action.

In order to track the movement of migrant workers along with information on their employers / contractors / agents etc, Data Collection formats were circulated to the District Labour Officers (DLOs) in the month of October, 2012 to capture data at the G.P. level. The data has been shared with the Dept. of Labour, Andhra Pradesh for necessary action as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GoI (MoLE) and State Labour Department of Governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.Discussion with ILO, New Delhi has already been held to develop a Tracking Software to track the Migrant Workers on line who migrate to Andhra Pradesh every year to work in the Brick Kiln sectors.

The concern for hygienic living for the migrant workers of Odisha at Andhra Pradesh has been taken care of by taking initiative to build semi pucca houses for them. The Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has agreed to ensure the same and the expenditure for this shall be borne equally by the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Awareness activities are in progress for the Migrant Workers to use portable smart cards under Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) Scheme which will insure their health in the destination states.A Pilot Project has been initiated in Bolangir district with support from ILO to implement a work plan for migrant families.

Seasonal hostels have been opened in the districts of Nuapada, Bolangir and Bargarh of Odisha by the School and Mass Education Dept. for education of the children of Migrant Workers during the seasonal migration.

The Orissa Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) has been requested to send Odiya Teachers and Odiya Text Books for at least 100 schools at Andhra Pradesh to ensure education at the work sites for the children of Migrant Workers.