A deadly fire at a nightclub in Goa that claimed the lives of 20 migrant workers from across India made global headlines – and triggered fresh demands for government agencies to step up efforts to ensure the safety of low-paid workers in environments such as bars, nightclubs and hotels.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 13 February 2026
Recent flash flooding in Uttarakhand is thought to have claimed the lives of a number of migrant workers, prompting accusations the Government is failing to minimise the risk of devastating floods caused by a combination of climate change impacts, construction of upstream hydroelectric plants and deforestation for development projects.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 09 September 2025
Migrant workers in India face significant risks to their health and safety, but a new community-based training programme by British Safety Council and labour rights organisation Work Fair and Free seeks to educate them on how to protect themselves and their co-workers from accidents and illness at work.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 11 June 2025
The recent tragic deaths of 46 Indian migrant workers in a fire in an unsafe accommodation block in Kuwait has reignited concerns the Indian government is failing to exert sufficient pressure on overseas governments and businesses to protect the safety and labour rights of Indians employed overseas in unskilled and semi-skilled work.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 07 July 2024
False claims that migrant workers in Tamil Nadu are regularly being attacked and even killed by people supposedly angry at them depriving the locals of jobs have once again shone a spotlight on the precarious rights and conditions of migrant workers in India.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 06 April 2023
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the plight of India’s huge army of migrant workers, as millions lost their jobs in last year’s lockdown and were forced to return to their home villages. We asked three experts what needs to be done to improve the health, safety, employment and social security protections for migrant workers.
By Gajal Gupta on 01 April 2021
