Although the decision came after reports about their distress, the group would address deeper structural problems millions of migrant labourers face daily, apart from immediate concerns caused by the lockdown.
While looking into employment and skilling issues, the GoM’s top agenda will be migrant labour concerns. The panel of ministers chaired by social justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot held its first meeting on Friday.
The GoM also has labour minister Santosh Gangwar, skill development minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, minister of state for home GK Reddy, minister of state of external affairs V Muraleedharan, tourism minister Prahlad Patel and tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda.
It will try to find ways to build a better social security net for migrant labour by giving them access to healthcare, housing, allowances during temporary unemployment and ‘smart’ ration cards. It will also look at ways to restart the rural and urban economies.
The panel has also been tasked to look at ways for reskilling people for emerging employment opportunities, ET gathers. A proposed push for MSME in the forthcoming financial stimulus package is also one of the tasks for the group.
Ministries of rural development, MSME, labour and skill development will be closely involved in developing key reports for the group.
