Menu
Construction sites in Indian urban centres are major employers of migrants from rural areas. Most inter and intra-state migrant workers are illiterate and unskilled, which makes them highly vulnerable to exploitation.
Their living conditions are very poor, and the workers stay in small sheds, either at the construction sites/basement, at neighbouring vacant sites or on the roadside. Migrant workers’ living conditions are often substandard and there is no provision for clean drinking water, toilets and sanitation.
These workers do not have access to fair price shops, hospitals, crèches or schools for their children. Migrant workers are the most exploited and disenfranchised with no access to their entitlements both at source village and destination city. Plight of migrant workers and their human rights became crystal clear during the COVID19 pandemic lockdown.
Sampark creates awareness among migrant workers about their entitlements in various sectors such as health, education, finance, social security and legal aid, and increases access to these entitlements to improve their livelihoods. These are achieved through the setting up of Workers Resource Centres (WRCs), and implementing activities of awareness raising, information provision, and linkages.
WRC is the one-stop place for migrant workers for all their information needs and required support to access their entitlements. Sampark runs 3 WRCs in Bangalore and operates a migrant support helpline 080-68972050 to provide them the convenience to access information from anywhere.
Construction sites within the reach of WRCs are approached by field team to offer services to construction workers. Various awareness programmes and health camps are conducted at site/labor colonies. Sampark currently works in 75 labour colonies in various locations in Bangalore.
No. 666, 45th cross, 1st B main,
8th block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560041
No. 3C -317, Ganapati Temple Street,
Sukh Sagar Hotel Cross,
HRBR Layout,
Bengaluru – 560084
PH: 080- 43716945
No 5, 1st A main Near SRS Bus stop, Peenya new extension, Bengaluru 560058
PH: 080- 43716945
Social Security
Create awareness and apply for membership in the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (KBOCWWB), which enables them to apply for 19 different social protection schemes including education scholarships, BMTC pass, maternity benefits, and financial support in case of accidents and illnesses. Support to apply for the schemes regarding applying for ID cards, are also provided. During the pandemic, registered workers received COVID19 relief of Rs. 3,000 Rs to Rs. 5,000
Health
Health camps and awareness on pre and postnatal care, HIV/AIDS are conducted at labour colonies. Formal linkages are created for the workers with the local PHCs. Pregnant women are supported to procure a Mothers’ Card which helps them to get immunization shots and other required treatment during pregnancy, along with the immunization of the child after delivery.
Finance
Awareness about the importance of having bank accounts and information on Government insurance schemes and bank products are provided. Assistance is provided to open bank accounts and workers are also trained on how to use the ATM cards to withdraw money.
Legal
As part of legal counselling, WRC team provides mediation and legal services for wage and compensation disputes for migrant construction workers.
WRC team identifies workers who are active and share a good rapport with community members. They are identified as Shramik Mithras ( community person) and build their capacity to guide their fellow workers. They are made aware about the services of WRC, methods to apply for services and familiarise them with Government offices, hospitals and banks. Shramik Mithras help to sustain Sampark’s efforts towards providing the worker access to their benefits. Shramik Mitras are also trained on Union concepts, leadership and communication.
Workers with the support of Sampark have formed and registered “Karnataka Kattada Sharmikara Sangha” with 4930 active members.
Unskilled migrants depend largely on the construction sector for employment and women constitute more than one third of this work force. Sampark’s in-depth study with migrant construction workers showed the lack of identity, access to decent employment and basic living conditions, education,health and subsidized food from PDS,pre and post-natal care. Links to study are given below
Socio economic status of unorganised laborers in consctruction sector in Gujarat
Socio economic status of construction workers in Bangalore
Promoting economic and social inclusion of migrant workers, Sep 2021
Create awareness and apply for membership in the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (KBOCWWB), which enables them to apply for 19 different social protection schemes including education scholarships, maternity benefits, and financial support in case of accidents and illnesses. Support to apply for the schemes regarding applying for id cards, are also provided.
Health camps and awareness on pre and postnatal care, HIV/AIDS are conducted at labour colonies. Formal linkages are created for the workers with the local PHCs. Pregnant women are supported to procure a Mothers’ Card which helps them to get immunization injections and other required treatment during pregnancy, along with the immunization of the child after delivery.
Awareness about the importance of having bank accounts and information on Government insurance schemes and bank products are provided. Assistance is provided to open bank accounts and workers are also trained on how to use the ATM cards to withdraw money.
WRC team identifies workers who are active and who have a good rapport with community as Shramik Mithras and build their capacity and leadership skills to take up the responsibility of guiding their fellow workers to WRC. Shramik Mithras help to sustain Sampark’s efforts towards providing the worker access to their benefits. Workers with the support of Sampark have formed and registered “Karnataka Kattada Sharmikara Sangha” with 130 workers. Linkages are also made with the Karnataka State Construction Workers Central Union.
As part of legal counselling, the WRC team provides Mediation and legal services for wage and compensation disputes for migrant construction workers.
Copyright © 2024 Sampark – All Rights Reserved.
Professional Website Developed & Digital Marketing by Dexcel Digital Hub Pvt. Ltd.