Don’t leave state now, Odisha labour minister urges migrant workers

BHUBANESWAR: Labour minister Susanta Singh on Monday urged migrant workers in the state not to leave Odisha amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He categorically asked them not to undertake any travel now.
“Nobody knows what will happen next. I sincerely request the migrant workers in the state not to go out at this juncture. You should not make your lives difficult, but stay safe,” said Singh. He added that they should also try and keep their family members protected. “We can get back our livelihoods and jobs, but the important thing is to save ourselves from the virus. If the migrants were to travel, they may face lockdowns, shutdowns and other difficulties. They should not be fooled by middlemen,” he cautioned.
The minister further said people can get work within the state, but they go out to earn more money. “Many people from other states are working in different sectors in Odisha. Our people can look for work here itself and stay back during this time,” he reiterated.
The migrant workers continue to return to Odisha following the fresh Covid surge across the country. The main reasons behind their return are peer pressure and insistence from family members.
“Though I was planning to carry on with my work in Karnataka’s Mandya district, I immediately decided to return home after the government announced the lockdown in the state. I will return after the cases come down,” Subash Palai from Ganjam said.