AICCTU Moves Karnataka HC Seeking Relief For Migrant Workers After State Cancels Train To Transport Them Back [Read Petition]

The All India Central Council of Trade Unions has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking relief to migrant workers who are left stranded after the Karnataka Government on Tuesday, decided to cancel all trains to transport them back to Dhanapur in Bihar.

The memo seeking urgent hearing states that the stand of the state government is in violation of the fundamental rights of the workers protected under Articles 19 (1)(d) and Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

The decision of the state government to cancel the trains was taken on Tuesday, late evening. While during the day the Karnataka High Court had said "The State Government must place on record in what manner they will facilitate the traveling of migrant workers outside the State and also a policy decision taken by the State Government as regards the cost of traveling. The State Government must also ensure that this process must be conducted smoothly by ensuring that the migrant workers who wish to move outside get proper assistance in terms of the procedure for Registration."

The memo relying on news reports states that stranded migrant workers across the state have expressed their desire to return home. Further, on May 5 members of the Union visited the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre and spoke to several of the workers. The workers expressed that they wished to return to their home states and had walked over 50 kms to arrive here. They said that they had no homes to return to in Bengaluru since they had not been able to pay their rent and they had not received any wages since March 24. They also said that through this period they were not provided food or ration properly and lived in extremely vulnerable conditions.

The plea states "In view of the above and the grave consequences that this has on the migrant workers desirous to return to their home states, it is humbly prayed that this hon'ble court may be pleased to order this application be taken up for tomorrow (May 7), in the interest of justice and equity."

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