Ahmedabad: ‘Shramik Baseras’ are going to be constructed at the seven plots here within the limits of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). These facilities will provide accommodation to laborers, particularly migrant workers who have relocated to the city for employment.

The AMC standing committee has given its approval to allocate over 43,000 square meters across seven plots to the Gujarat Labour Welfare Board (GLWB), an entity operating under the Department of Labour, Skill Development, and Employment. According to AMC sources, these plots will be leased to the GLWB for a nominal fee of Re 1. The proposed labor hostels will be strategically located within a 1-kilometer radius of ‘kadia nakas,’ which are labor markets where workers gather every morning. These hostels will charge a modest rent for accommodation.

In response to a request from the state’s labor, skill development, and employment department, the AMC furnished details about vacant plots measuring at least 2,000 square meters. A source revealed, “AMC provided the department with a list of seven plots in various zones of the city. Shramik Baseras will be constructed on these plots soon.”

Departmental sources highlighted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant number of migrant workers were compelled to return, some even on foot, due to the absence of accommodation facilities. “Many migrant workers cannot afford rental homes while working in the city. These hostels will offer them affordable short-term accommodation,” they stated. DeshGujarat