According to the study, conducted by former economics professor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Lakhwinder Singh, in view of the crisis faced by migrant labourers during the pandemic and in normal times, there is an urgent need to frame a comprehensive public policy to ensure decent work and upward mobility of the migrant workforce.
A large number of migrant workers faced misery during the first lockdown that lasted more than 68 days, says the study. In the initial phase, migrant workers and their family members travelled back Home with their own meagre transport facilities such as bicycle and barefoot. Some died on the way due to the lack of food and water and other lifesaving facilities.
Concluding that the upward mobility of migrant labour force is quite limited in Punjab, the study also recommended that if the would like to draw full benefits of the young migrant workforce working in urban locations, it should provide them Education and skills keeping in view of the emerging EMPLOYMENT opportunities. It also emphasised that the female migrant workforce should be imparted two-pronged literacies education and skills, and financial so that they are saved from double exploitation and also empowered and ensured upward mobility.