Corporation yet to address issue

KOCHI: In the wake of the raids conducted on various construction sites, the Kochi Corporation had earlier mooted some major steps to ensure the welfare of the migrant workers in the city. But even four years after the announcement, these measures are yet to be implemented. The civic body had earlier announced that it would conduct awareness camps for migrant workers by July-end. The main aim of the camp was to create awareness among the labourers on better hygiene and healthy living conditions. The Health Standing Committee had also planned to launch a survey to assess the total number of migrant labourers in the city. The survey was expected to be carried out in association with Rajagiri College of Social Sciences. “After learning the situation of the migrant workers from newspapers and other media, we decided to conduct a survey which would help the civic body in implementing various welfare programmes effectively. But, to our disappointment, the authorities have not shown any interest to carry the plan forward,” said an official with Rajagiri College.The Corporation authorities had also plans to prepare a list of the migrant labourers and maintain a record on them. As per the plan, the contractors or agents who bring the labourers to the city will also have to maintain another ledger. This would have helped the authorities to track the details of the workers easily.Meanwhile, Kochi corporation Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf said that though the civic body had planned to organise awareness camps for the migrant workers by July-end, the continuous rain had affected their plans. “The work at  major construction sites were temporarily stopped owing to heavy rain. However, we are planning to organise the camps next month,” he added.