Odisha Partners with WFP to Safeguard Migrant Workers’ Access to Welfare Services
The Government of Odisha has taken a landmark step to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers by joining hands with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Through a newly signed Technical Assistance Agreement, the state aims to ensure seamless portability of essential services—including food, health, nutrition, education, and labour benefits—for families relocating within Odisha.
Senior officials, including Development Commissioner Smt. Anu Garg and Labour & ESI Department Additional Chief Secretary Ms Chithra Arumugam formalised the agreement alongside WFP India’s Country Director Ms Elisabeth Faure.
The initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to building a robust digital infrastructure that guarantees uninterrupted access to social protection, regardless of district boundaries.
At the heart of the project is an integrated digital platform designed to track migrant households and enable portability across key schemes such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), PM POSHAN, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), school enrollment, immunisation, health services, and labour benefits.
The platform will feature interactive dashboards, multi‑modal alerts, and advanced analytics to support officials in delivering timely assistance.
Training modules for frontline workers and public awareness campaigns will further strengthen the system.
India is home to nearly 100 million migrants, contributing around 10% of the national GDP, yet many face barriers to social protection due to mobility.
Odisha’s pilot project in Khordha district seeks to bridge these gaps, offering a scalable model that could inspire similar efforts nationwide.
By combining government leadership with WFP’s technical expertise, the partnership promises to reinforce social safety nets and ensure that migrant families—especially women and children—can access the services they need, wherever they are.
