West Asia Crisis: India asks Central PSUs to pay workers on time, boost welfare measures

New Delhi: The labour and employment ministry has requested all central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) to ensure timely release of wages to workers to minimise financial distress amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

The measure is part of a series of pre-emptive measures being undertaken by the government to prevent reverse migration in the country as the US-Israel war against Iran, now in its sixth week, has started impacting the livelihood of migrant workers in India, said people familiar with the matter.

The government, in a communication to the Department of Public Enterprises, emphasised that all CPSUs in the country should ensure timely payment of wages and take all possible measures for workers’ welfare, said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.


The Centre also advised CPSUs to undertake welfare measures relating to wages, cooking fuel and transport, wherever required, to arrest any kind of labour movement to rural areas as it could impact multiple sectors and cripple the economy.

Labour secretary Vandana Gurnani held a meeting with all state labour secretaries and labour commissioners to assess the ground situation and sensitise the states regarding close monitoring and timely intervention to ensure ease of living for migrant workers in the country, said people privy to the details.

The chief labour commissioner and his team across India have been directed to stay in constant touch with state officials and monitor the situation at factories and establishments, said another person.

The government is apprehensive of any reverse migration, as had happened during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by high cost of liquefied petroleum gas and other commodities which could put pressure on the daily expenses and force them to move back home.

However, so far, the migratory trends are not significant, the people said.

As per the 2011 Census, India has more than 41 million interstate migrants. The 2020-21 Migration report pegs the overall migration rate in the country at 28.9%, with 26.5% from rural areas and about 10.8% migrating mainly for employment.