The Covid pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns severely affected the migrant workers in India, as their livelihoods came to a standstill and they had to migrate back to their villages. The total migrant population in the country is ~10 cr specifically related to livelihoods in the informal sector. The details of these migrants are normally available in scattered aggregates across industries, locations, states, and departments.

Even in a normal (Non-crisis) scenario, these workers are vulnerable to uncertain incomes from their informal jobs, handling sudden medical emergencies, supporting their families, and all the other vagaries of an informal job market.

The governments at the State & Center have instituted the BOCW act to support migrant workers through various schemes across their life stages. Under the Act, the workers are entitled to multiple entitlements, including social security benefits, Maternity benefits, Financial assistance for a daughter’s marriage, Critical illness benefit, scholarships for children, Funeral assistance, etc. The approximate fund balance in all State Welfare Boards as of 31 March 2021 is around INR 40,000 crore. As per the current process, the workers can avail of these entitlements by registering for a BOCW card. Out of the estimated 5 crore construction workers in India, less than 3.5 crore workers have BOCW cards, as of 14 July 2020.