The programme named Livelihood Generation Programme for Returned Migrant Workers due to COVID-19 Pandemic was launched by Imnatiba, the adviser to industries and commerce, labour and employment, skill development and entrepreneurship departments at Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima on Sept 28, 2020. Altogether 100 migrant workers who have returned to Nagaland following the Covid-19 pandemic will be trained to build their enterprises through a livelihood generation programme.

With the support of the North Eastern Council and the Nagaland government, the state industries and commerce department has taken up the programme to support and train 100 migrant workers, who have returned to the State, to build their enterprise.

Imnatiba said that the programme will be actively monitored by the industries and commerce department to ensure transparency and impartiality. He exhorted the youths of the state to wake up to the challenges and turn every problem into an opportunity. He said that one must discard the negative mindset and work together to turn dreams into reality.

Commissioner and secretary, industries and commerce, K Kevichusa while giving a brief statement on the implementation of the project said that the awareness and reorientation programme will be conducted through an online process where a team of resource persons from different areas and sectors of enterprises will be identified.

After Nagaland, now a Rs 3.3 crore project under the Mizoram Youth Commission (MZC) christened as ‘Livelihood Generation for Returned Migrant Workers’ was launched by Chief Minister Zoramathnga in Mizoram.

The project funded by the North East Council will cover more than 2,600 people, who will be given skill-based training and entrepreneurship development training, to help them find suitable employment.

Speaking on the occasion, Zoramthanga said that the global pandemic has affected the whole world and Mizoram is no exception. The Mizoram government has launched a project to assist the migrant workers, who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to find suitable employment.

He expressed regret for several state residents, who have returned to the state after losing their jobs because of the pandemic. He exhorted the educated youths to figure with great determination and perseverance to make Mizoram one of the top states within the northeastern region. The programme also focuses on increasing the number of civil servants from the state. He also said that coaching and sponsorship programmes are being expedited to provide more and more officers under Central service.

MYC chairman and ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Vanlaltanpuia said that a minimum of 2,637 migrant workers have lost their jobs and returned to the state due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that the ‘Livelihood Generation for Returned Migrant Workers’ project will have seven components to help the migrant workers for livelihood generation. Entrepreneurship development programme are implemented altogether in the 11 districts and 550 candidates are targeted under this component. While 150 people are targeted under the skill training component to be implemented by Labour Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship department, 100 candidates are expected for entrepreneurship skill training to be conducted by Mizoram University.

Around 637 people will undertake training on BPO, animation, gaming, and designing and 120 are targeted for home-based food processing.  About 100 people will be trained for tour guide jobs and a sizeable number of candidates will also be trained for e- commerce.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.