ABSTRACT
This chapter documents how internal migrants, largely poor urban informal workers, were not only disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by the containment measures put in place by the governments. We have tried to highlight the adverse effects of control strategies on this group by collating available evidence, predominantly from civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in the relief work. We argue that need for involvement of CSOs on a large scale reflects the gaps in systems meant to protect migrant workers. We argue that CSOs cannot be the replacement of the state and, hence, this experience should be used to design a systematic and comprehensive approach towards ensuring health as a human right for these vulnerable population.
