Inclusiveness as an Organizing Principle: Ensuring Rights and Social Protection for Interstate Migrants in Kerala

The social situation in Kerala depicts a continuous rise in migrant workers. Paradoxically, this growing population experiences two distinct treatment patterns within the same country, leading to a denial of human rights. This research explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, analysing the working conditions of migrant labourers and the disparities in their access to social, welfare, and health systems in Kerala. Recent estimates indicate that the migrant worker population in Kerala ranges from 2.8 million to 3.4 million (KILE 2020 & KSPB 2021) . Surprisingly, the official figures from the Kerala government report a significantly lower count, currently standing at 516,000 migrant workers (RTI 2023) . Several initiatives have been implemented to support migrant workers in Kerala, such as the Migrant Workers Welfare Scheme, Awaaz Health Insurance Scheme, Apna Ghar Residential Project, and various literary projects like Hamari Pathshala Project, Roshni Project, Anya Malayalam Project, Chagatai project, Hamari Malayalam project, Athidhi app, and Guest app. The effectiveness and reach of these programs will be examined in this study. However, the exploitative attitude of the Malayalees (local peoples of kerala) towards the increasing number of migrant workers in Kerala and the migrant labour rights struggle of migrant workers are examples of rights denials. A profoundly troubling network perpetuates wage exploitation among migrant labour communities, with influential figures aiding and abetting theft akin to historical indentured labour practices. The situation presents a distressing picture of interstate migrants facing gross violations of their fundamental human rights, leaving them in a state of vulnerability devoid of legal protection, political representation, and social support. Stripped of citizenship and fundamental human rights, migrant workers endure perpetual societal marginalisation. This aligns with Hannah Arendt's assertion that every individual deserves inherent dignity. In an unjust capitalist society, systematic neglect of rights exposes disposable populations to exploitation, exclusion, and potential elimination. Kerala can bolster its reputation as an inclusive and sustainable space by urgently seeking solutions to deliver social justice to these marginalised workers. The Kerala Government is doing its social responsibility to provide recommendations to ensure the formulation of a comprehensive social, health and right-based policy for migrant workers through this research paper.