Low awareness - Migrant workers fail to benefit from TN schemes

As per the labour department, migrant workers would be provided with an ID card, given government allowances in addition to other benefits. However, only a few are aware of these schemes. Of the 1.29 lakh migrant workers in Coimbatore, only 2,000 have applied for government benefits.

Department officials and activists said factory owners are aware of these schemes, but they do not inform their workers.

"As per the state government, migrant workers of unorganised sector such as construction, handicrafts, tailoring, domestic workers and street vendors are eligible for several benefits," said an official from the labour department. A common problem that these workers face is lack of residential proof or any other proof certified by the state government.

"The social security scheme has been extended to Tamil Nadu construction workers welfare board, which includes migrant workers involved in construction work. This allows them to get an ID card from their employer, maternity benefits, marriage assistance, pension schemes, compensation on accidental death and natural death, children's education assistance and various other government schemes," said an official.

As far as the organised sector goes, the company should provide migrant workers with provident fund, employee state insurance , medical insurance, and other benefits for their families. But CITU president, A K Padmanabhan said none of the factories extend these benefits to their workers.

Jabir Hussain, a migrant worker from West Bengal said he has been working in the city for over six years in several companies including textile industries. "We get 270 per day and are provided with food and shelter at the work place. But we do not get any other benefits," he said.