Agencies transporting bodies come under fire for fleecing migrants
The Hindu
Labour dept. justifies decision to entrust them with job
The engagement of private services agencies by the Labour department for transporting bodies of migrant workers to their native places has drawn criticism from social workers and organisations working for the welfare of migrants, accusing private players of fleecing labourers’ relatives.
In an unprecedented move, the Labour department in 2018 had introduced a revolving fund of up to ₹50,000 for the transportation of a migrant’s body. While the initiative, arguably the first of its kind anywhere in the country, is being lauded, entrusting the job with private players is far from being appreciated.
“The focus is on sending bodies at the earliest to the bereaved families for which we entrust the service with private players prepared to do it at the lowest possible cost. We clear the vouchers submitted by service providers once the service is delivered,” said P.M. Firoz, District Labour Officer, Ernakulam.