India’s Governance over Covid 19 with special focus on Migrant Workers

Association of Indian Law Institute Alumni (AILIA)

In Association with

The Indian Law Institute, New Delhi

COVID 19 Web Series- Lecture 1

India’s Governance over COVID 19 with special focus on Migrant Workers

(20.05.2020)

(4.30 PM to 6.00 PM)

1. I. BACKGROUND

The outbreak of COVID 19 has caused unparalleled misery in the history of the globe affecting more than 188 countries and territories with more than 4.71 million cases and more than 315,000 deaths.1 It was initially identified from Wuhan, China in December 2019 and spread so massively and widely that the WHO declared it as Public health emergency of International Concern by 30th January and a pandemic by 11th March 2020. As on 15th May, 2020, the worst sufferers in terms of cases are US, Russia, UK, Spain and Italy. In terms of deaths, it is US, UK, Italy, France and Spain which are suffering the most at present. However, the point is that the COVID 19 is spreading so rapidly and unpredictably that no country can afford to be complacent just by looking at statistics at any given point in time. The WHO has recommended several objectives as part of the strategic preparedness and response plan.2 Various governments have adopted different approaches from time to time. For example, many countries in Europe (in the Schengen area) have restricted free movement and set up border controls. Many national governments have responded with National Lockdowns, Sub National

Lockdowns (for states/cities/counties) etc. It started with the city of Wuhan being under lockdown by the Chinese government in late January and over next three months i.e. by April 2020, around 3.9 billion people i.e. more than half of the world’s population has been under lockdown.

II. OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 IN INDIA AND GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSE: AN OVERVIEW

The first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in India was reported on 30 January 2020, originating from China.3 As on 18th May 2020, the total number of cases has risen to 96000+ and deaths to 3029. In response, the Government of India has time to time taken several strong measures including the national lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.4 Several far-reaching methods5 were used during the national lockdown. The WHO6 and the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT)7 has appreciated the Indian Government’s response towards COVID 19.

However, the critics worry that economic devastation has been caused by the lockdown, which has huge effects on informal workers, micro and small enterprises, farmers and the self-employed, who are left with no livelihood in the absence of transportation and access to

markets.8 Thousands of people moved out of major Indian cities, as they became jobless after the lockdown. While government schemes ensured that the poor would get additional rations due to the lockdown, the distribution system failed to be effective as the ration cards are area-specific and fair price shops were largely inaccessible. With no work and no money, thousands of migrant workers (with families) were seen walking or bicycling hundreds of kilometres to go back to their native villages. Many are facing extreme almost unthinkable amount of hardship like death, delivery on the roads, physical and mental exhaustion etc.

To address the gravity of the situation, the Government in March 2020 had ordered a relief package to assist the poor population of India. In May 2020, under the Antmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the second set of economic measures has been announced for migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, farmers and self-employed people. Its effectiveness is yet to be tested.

III. AREAS OF DISCUSSION

1. Migrant Workers and Duties of Lawyers during COVID

2. Performance of India vis-à-vis Developed Countries during COVID

3. Migrant Labour Crisis: Statutory Protection, Governmental response and Long term plan

III. BROCHURE

AILIA-ILI Lecture 1 Brief

IV. MEDIA PARTNER