People being treated like dirt: SC on migrant workers

New Delhi: "People are being treated like dirt", the Supreme Court said on  as it flayed Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments for the dismal condition of workers expressing anguish over the "inadequate" steps taken by them in this regard.

"People are being treated like dirt. Please don't treat people like this. Take this issue seriously or we will take your inaction seriously," the social justice bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit said.

The apex court was hearing a suo motu plea relating to a horrific incident of chopping off the right hands of two migrant labourers from Odisha by a contractor from Andhra Pradesh in December, 2013.

"It is terrific state of affairs. Either the measures taken are inadequate or they are not yielding results," the bench said.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the state governments, it directed the state governments of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to file "proper" affidavits within four weeks indicating short and long term measures to prevent exploitation of migrant workers and ensure the safety of those involved in brick kiln industry.

The court had earlier directed Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to inform it about the action plan and steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

It had also sought information on how many complaints have been filed against those found violating statutory provisions of laws like Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and whether any survey in this regard has been conducted.

The bench had also directed Secretary, State Legal Services Authority to visit the migration-prone areas in Odisha and submit a report on steps that can be taken to prevent exploitation, malpractices and violations relating to the workers.

Taking cognisance of a media report on the incident, the apex court had issued notice to Chief Secretaries of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.