TN to create database of migrant workers


Thangam Thennarasu

Chennai: For the first time, Tamilnadu government will soon create a digital databank of migrant workers employed in industries, particularly the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and hospitality sectors, across the State.

According to Minister for Industries Thangam Thennarasu, the Industries Department is of the view that it is pertinent to create a database of migrant workers in the State.

He added: “There are a few lakhs of labourers from various States engaged in industries across Tamil Nadu. A majority of them went home during the peak of Covid-19. We need to have a clear record on how many returned to work, their vaccination status and other identification details.”

Meanwhile, it is now mandatory for employees as well as their family members to take both doses of Covid-19 vaccine to access workplaces or industries, the Tamilnadu government has announced.

Besides treating them as ‘high priority’ group, a new set of guidelines said all workplaces and industries with more than 300 employees or 10,000 sq ft space should appoint a qualified health inspector, ‘at their own cost’, for monitoring and to coordinate/implement health activities on the premises.