Chennai Corporation launches AC lounges for gig workers

The Migration Bulletin is a monthly round-up that compiles news and developments pertaining to India’s migrant workforce from across India.  In this month's bulletin, we track air conditioned lounges for gig workers in Chennai, a survey in Andhra Pradesh to curb illegal immigrants and in Telangana to enumerate migrant workers from Chhattisgarh and more.

The Migration Bulletin is a monthly round-up that compiles news and developments pertaining to India’s migrant workforce from across India.  In this month's bulletin, we track air conditioned lounges for gig workers in Chennai, a survey in Andhra Pradesh to curb illegal immigrants and in Telangana to enumerate migrant workers from Chhattisgarh and more. 

In a unique, first-of-its-kind initiative, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has set up air-conditioned rest lounges as a safe and dignified space for gig workers, including those delivering food, groceries, and also construction workers, to rest between assignments. The two Scandinavian-style lounges, which can accommodate up to 25 people at a time, were started on June 11 in Anna Nagar and offer comfortable seating, clean drinking water, charging points for mobile phones, and well-maintained washrooms, according to an NDTV report dated June 12. It is being seen as a significant move, given that a large number of women work as gig workers in Anna Nagar. 

The initiative was launched following requests by the Gig Workers Welfare Association. With CCTV cameras and on-site security personnel to avoid misuse of the space included, the pilot project cost Rs 25 lakh and was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with several other civic projects. GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran stated that many more similar and larger lounges are being planned for Thiruvanmiyur and Villivakkam for construction workers, as well as for gig workers on GN Chetty Road in T. Nagar. Further, the Finance Ministry and the GCC are planning to expand this in more locations in Chennai and Coimbatore, with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds being put to use. 

AP to survey migrant labourers after Pahalgam attack

The Andhra Pradesh Police will conduct a survey of migrant labourers on various levels, such as villages, mandals, divisions and districts, after the Centre’s alert about illegal immigrants following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report in The Hindu dated May 25. 

There are over five lakh workers in Andhra Pradesh coming from various states, including West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and others, according to The Hindu’s report. These migrant labourers work in sectors such as agriculture, catering, hotels and restaurants, spinning mills, sand quarries, aqua companies, brick kilns, construction, decoration and others. 

As per the report, officials will verify Aadhar cards, employers, duration of stay in Andhra Pradesh, whether with families or alone and background of the migrant workers being surveyed, among other details, without disturbing the public. “The Intelligence, Task Force, District Security Wing, Special Branch, Counter-Intelligence and the Law and Order police have been tasked with conducting the survey,” The Hindu report quotes officials as saying.

Meanwhile, the police also arrested over 12 Bangladesh and Myanmar nationals, who were allegedly staying illegally without any documents, and sent them to a refugee camp in Hyderabad, on May 24, 2025 in the Kanuru and Tadigadapa areas in the Krishna district. The arrested illegal immigrants used to work on the construction site in Tadigadapa. 

Dead Telangana worker’s family awaits mortal remains amid growing Israel-Iran escalating conflict

Amidst the Israel-Iran conflict, the body of Revella Ravinder, a migrant worker from Telangana, who passed away due to an illness, has been preserved at a hospital in Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, according to a report in The Week dated June 16. His family has sought the Indian government's intervention to bring back his body. 

There are several migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana working mostly in the healthcare and construction industries abroad. The Israel-Iran conflict has been escalating for the past six days, with ongoing airstrikes and missile attacks between the two nations being the latest episode in a long-standing history of rivalry marked by proxy battles, nuclear tensions, and deep ideological opposition. 

Ravinder's wife, Vijaylakshmi, told the media that the hospital authorities informed her about his death. He died due to a heart attack on June 15. She also mentioned that he feared death due to persistent attacks in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

The Telangana Association in Israel is completing the formalities amidst a time of uncertainty. “The embassy has been informed about the worker’s death. We have no choice but to wait for the flights to resume as airports are closed. It may even take 2-3 weeks for the body to be transported to India. Under usual circumstances, we transport the body within one week,” said Soma Ravi, President of Israel Telangana Association, as quoted in the report.

CoMSO protests government's failure to pass Migrant Workers (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) members staged a protest outside the Main Secretariat on June 13 over three of their long-pending demands, The Shillong Times reported on June 13. The protest crossed paths with the convoy of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sagma who was passing by the protest site. 

The three long-pending demands include the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the formation of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) in all districts, and the Immediate enforcement of the Migrant Workers (Amendment) Bill, 2024. CoMSO leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to address their demands, and the absence of a response even after six years of the Meghlaya Legislative Assembly passing a resolution urging the Centre to implement ILP.

According to the report, Syrem, Managing Director of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), citing the recent Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, questioned how non-residents could commit the crime and escape from the state. A newly married Indore couple, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, were in Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. Raja was found dead on June 2 near a deep gorge below the Wei Sawdong falls parking lot in Sohra and Sonam is alleged to have planned the killing with her boyfriend Raj. Syrem also mentioned an ATM robbery case at Mawkraih, allegedly committed by individuals from other regions, pointing out the need for stricter entry regulations. 

He further criticised the government for not consulting with stakeholders after the Union Home Ministry returned the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2020, similar to ILP for addressing illegal immigration and influx. 

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by select Indian state governments to allow Indians from other states to enter in specified protected areas such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur for a limited time. It aims to regulate movement, prevent outside settlements and protect indigenous tribal communities. It originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFR), 1873.

Chhattisgarh officials launch survey  of migrant workers in Telangana

A team led by Bastar District Assistant Commissioner Kalyan Singh visited Telangana and neighbouring states to conduct a survey of tribal workers who have migrated from their state in search of livelihood, according to a  Telangana Today report, dated April 30. 

The team travelled to Bhadrachalam as part of the survey with Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) project officer, B Rahul. According to the report, the ITDA officer survey was meant to understand where the migrants resided, working as daily wage labourers in urban and rural areas with their families, and whether they wanted to return to Chhattisgarh. The Koya and Ghuthikhoya migrant workers mostly live in rural areas and many places in the erstwhile Khamman district, and some live in urban areas for their livelihoods. 

A complete report will be submitted to the Bastar collector after the survey, which was conducted as per the directions of the Bastar District Collector.

Compiled by Mansi Bhaktwani