"NHRC India Calls for Rights-Based Labour Reforms to Protect Migrant Workers with Timely Wages and Social Security", 13 May 2026

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC India) organised a core group meeting in New Delhi on the theme “Protecting Migrant Workers’ Rights: Shared Responsibility of Government and the Private Sector.”…

NHRC Chair Calls for Shift From Policy to Rights-Based Implementation…

He also warned against loopholes in labour regulations that allow employers to bypass eligibility thresholds and called for a shift from a compliance-based system to a rights-based labour framework…

NHRC Member Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi emphasized that delayed or unpaid wages defeat the very purpose of migration…

NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal noted that nearly 28.9% of India’s population comprises migrant workers, who play a crucial role in construction, services, logistics, and manufacturing sectors…

Key Issues Raised: Wage Gaps, Subcontracting and Exploitation

Experts at the meeting raised concerns over:

• Wage theft and delayed payments
• Exploitation in subcontracting chains
• Lack of documentation for workers
• Exclusion from welfare schemes
• Poor living conditions and housing shortages

… Several experts called for improved data systems to track migrant workers more effectively.

… Representatives from SEBI, CII, FICCI, and international organisations discussed the role of corporate responsibility in protecting migrant workers.

Key recommendations included:

• Strengthening ESG and BRSR reporting standards
• Mandatory wage and labour compliance disclosures
• Contractor accountability across supply chains
• Linking ESG ratings with worker welfare performance
• Ethical recruitment and zero-fee hiring policies

… Representatives from the International Labour Organization, United Nations Development Programme, and International Organization for Migration urged India to align policies with global human rights standards.

They emphasized:

• Fair wages and living wage benchmarks
• Safe and ethical recruitment systems
• Strong grievance redressal mechanisms
• Compliance with UN business and human rights principles..