Sister Mukta Marandi called for stronger legal protections and greater awareness of workers’ rights during a regional gathering focused on supporting migrant workers in India.
Sister Mukta, an advocate practicing in Jharkhand, was among about 50 participants from eight dioceses who gathered Aug. 24 and 25 in Burdwan, West Bengal. The workshop brought together laity, Sisters, priests and representatives of church organizations around the theme, “Journeying together as people of India: walking with migrants.”
The gathering resulted in plans to establish Migrant Resource Centers throughout dioceses in the Bengal and Sikkim region. The centers would help migrant workers access legal protections, government benefits and emergency assistance.
“We need to provide legal safeguards to the migrants who are often exploited,” Sister Mukta told participants.
Drawing from her experience assisting migrant workers, Sister Mukta encouraged participants to learn more about India’s labor laws, particularly provisions related to wages, working conditions and social security. She explained that greater knowledge of these protections can help organizations connect migrant workers with government programs and human rights resources.
Sister Mukta also shared examples from her work helping migrant workers obtain compensation when their rights had been violated.
Her participation reflects the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s commitment to working in solidarity with people who experience exploitation, displacement and economic hardship.
The workshop was organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Commission for Migrants. Participants discussed ways dioceses, religious congregations, parishes and community organizations can work together so migrants have access to assistance both where they begin their journeys and where they find employment.
At the conclusion of the gathering, Bishop Paul Simmick of Bagdogra encouraged dioceses to establish the proposed resource centers and strengthen their ministries with migrant workers and their families.
The original report, “Bengal dioceses plan migrant resource centers across region,” was published Aug. 26 by Matters India.