Lobby spreading canards about migrant labourers: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said a particular lobby was spreading canards about migrant labourers in Kerala, adding the state had always been appreciative of and considerate to these labourers.

"A north Indian lobby is trying to propagate a false campaign through the social media against the migrant labourers in Kerala and is meant to create unrest. This has been done on purpose to damage peace in Kerala and project it in poor light," Vijayan said in a statement here.

Nearly three million migrant labourers from West Bengal, Bihar and the north-east eke out a living in various sectors in Kerala at present, according to a study.

"The truth is Kerala has extended special schemes for them, including insurance cover for health and accidents. Over the years, on numerous occasions, the state government has extended a helping hand to families of those who died working here. No other state in the country has done what we have been doing for them. Police has started to look into the malicious campaign and appropriate action will be taken against wrongdoers," Vijayan said.