Kerala government proposes to set up skill development institute for migrant workers

To impart skill development programmes for migrant workers from North India, Kerala government proposes to set up Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC). Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has submitted a proposal in this regard to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a financial aid of Rs 100 crore for the venture.

Majority of migrant workers do not have any special skill, while the state’s construction, hospitality and retail sectors among other areas demand skilled work force. The unskilled migrant workers are unable to fill the skill gap, says the proposal. The proposed IIIC would conduct courses for the skill development of migrant workers with special focus on construction sector.

A government-assigned study had found last year that Kerala has about 25 lakh migrant workers with 20 per cent of them hailing from West Bengal. Seventy per cent of the stated work force does not any special skill. The study had stated that these workers were sending an annual remittance of Rs 17,500 crore to their states of origin from Kerala.