Even as the government has sought to revive economic activity in a phased manner, I spoke to the stranded migrant workers in Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Surat. They didn't want to return to work but to their families.

Read here: https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/plight-of-migrant-workers-in-lockdown-say-work-can-wait-family-cannot-120041501634_1.html

In this thread, I will be presenting the voices of migrant workers I spoke to along with the findings of a research on more than 11,000 migrant workers conducted by the Stranded Workers Action Network for some perspective.

“I want to see my wife and kids. I want to return home. Work can wait,” says 45-year-old construction worker Parshuram Thakur, who works in Bengaluru. Thakur, whose native place is in Bihar, has a wife, two daughters, and a son — all dependents.

“In Bihar, the  #Covid19 cases are fewer. It’s spreading quickly in cities. I will return later,” he said. Anyhow, Thakur will have to wait longer to resume his job as most construction cites where he was employed were within city limits, which will remain out of bounds for work.

Julfikar Molla, who migrated from West Bengal to work in Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu), an export hub of garments, has been left high & dry due to the government’s mixed signals related to the lockdown measures. He has booked 3 train tickets since before the lockdown - all cancelled.

“My heart is pounding out of anxiety. My family is crying out of worry,” said Molla. Though he received his past salary dues (Rs 300 per day), the garment factory where he works hasn’t paid the salary for the duration of the lockdown, despite the Centre’s orders dated March 29th.

Molla, who lives with 4 other workers in a single room, says he has so far received ration only twice: 1st one came 4-5 days after the lockdown & the 2nd one, a few days ago. Each worker got 2 kg of rice, 100 gm of oil & 100 gm pulses. He said the employer rarely called to check.

Molla, who had even called up West Bengal govt distress helpline, said even if the garment factory resumes work, he would want to go back to his hometown & make a living there. “It’s hard to live in such uncertain times,” says Molla.

In Delhi, I met 45-yr-old Kishan Dev Mukhiya, who lives in a shelter home. "I request the government to make arrangements for me to go to Bihar. I am skipping my meals as I get to eat rice all the time. I am missing my family." Listen here: