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32 Days and Counting: COVID-19 Lockdown, Migrant Workers, and the Inadequacy of Welfare Measures in India

The Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) has been actively responding to the crisis of migrant workers across the country since the 27th of March. This report, based on workers’ testimonies, continues to be an indictment of the unilateral decision taken by the Central government. The decision was taken without any consultation with state governments, let alone with the people (or organisations representing them) who have borne the maximum brunt of these decisions. SWAN has continued to provide direct relief,document migrant workers’ experiences and facilitate access to relief measures. As on 26th April, we have interacted with 1,531 groups of workers, adding up to 16,863 people. Since the extension of the lockdown, there have been some important developments.