The authoritarian bias for labours in India during COVID-19 and its distorting effect on labour relations

Gaurav, Jayant (2020): The authoritarian bias for labours in India during COVID-19 and its distorting effect on labour relations.

Abstract

This article is a humble attempt to cover the recent series of helter skelter actions taken by government agencies and the attitude of state executive machinery and Industrial houses towards the working population in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. It also tries to list down possible explanations ranging from state apathy to well calculated kafkasque plans which led to mass exodus or forced reverse migration for labourers from Urban centres to their native places in rural India. The paper attempts to capture the impact of a series of steps taken by government and its apathetic attitude on Labour relations and its propensity to affect Industrial peace and prosperity as well suggests measures for achieving cordial labour relations post COVID-19. Also the viability of subsidised rent accommodation at workplace and educational facilities arrangement for children of migrant workers has been discussed as a step forward by government and Industry for venturing into a new paradigm of Labour relations.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Migrant Crisis, Labour relations, Industrial Peace, Migrant Workers, Labour Shortage
• Subjects: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers > J61 - Geographic Labor Mobility ; Immigrant Workers; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers > J68 - Public Policy; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J7 - Labor Discrimination > J70 - General

References

Notes 1. Labour and Worker has been used interchangeably in the article for representation purpose. 2. Although free rations have been allocated but no mechanism for those without ration card. Haphazard pattern of bus provision to few of labourers on arbitrary basis as per the whims and fancies of State Chief Ministers who wanted to come across as saviours. 3. Provision of safe passage to Labourers for returning home was never considered seriously by Government. Prolonged captivity they exhausted their patience and compelled them to move on feet. 4. This news report widely covered in Indian media shows the dismal state of lockdown centre in Agra and people rambling over biscuit packets and water bottles. 5. As per data of The Hindu newspaper around 96% migrant workers did not get ration from government.