Data on drop in migrant community in Kerala contested

Organisations cite flaws in assessment of Labour Department

The Labour Department perceives a drastic drop in the migrant labour community in the State after the last year’s lockdown based on an ongoing data upgradation drive. At last count, the department has managed to trace only around 1.70 lakh migrant workers from across the State. That data is being collated primarily with the help of 102 district labour officers though volunteers are also being enlisted to enhance the pace and efficiency of the drive. “We are not expecting more than 2.50 lakh migrant workers after the last year’s post-lockdown exodus. A large section of those who had gone home then had not returned since owing to the general slowdown in availability of works,” said senior Labour Department sources.