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Yearend Report of Mumbai Mobile Creches to
Jamsetji Tata Trust
April 2013 to March 2014
Contact: Vrishali Pispati, Chief Executive , Mumbai Mobile Creches, Abbas Building, 1st Floor,
Mereweather Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001. Tel.: 22020869, 32457774. E-mail:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Summary .................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Background of the Project ....................................................................................................... 4
2 (a) Construction Industry .......................................................................................................... 4
2 (b) The Saksham Project .......................................................................................................... 5
2 (c) Project Rationale and Objectives ........................................................................................ 5
3. Programme Findings................................................................................................................ 7
3 (a) Fulfillment of Objectives .................................................................................................... 7
3 (b) Project Design and implementation .................................................................................... 9
I Health Programme ................................................................................................................ 10
I (a) Preventative Health Programme ....................................................................................... 10
I (b) Health Awareness Programme .......................................................................................... 10
I (c) Hygiene Programme .......................................................................................................... 10
I (d) Addiction Awareness Programme ..................................................................................... 11
I (e) Medical Care ..................................................................................................................... 11
I (f) Strengthen Existing and Establish New Linkages with Hospitals ...................................... 11
I (g) Study .................................................................................................................................. 12
II Financial Literacy and Services Programme .................................................................... 13
II (a) Strengthening the Self-Help Groups ................................................................................ 13
II (b) Life Insurance and II (c) Health Insurance ..................................................................... 14
II (d) Income Generation Options ............................................................................................. 14
II (e) Pan Cards, Aadhar Cards and II (f) Bank Accounts ........................................................ 14
III Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing ..................................................................... 15
III (a) Exchange to Other NGOs ............................................................................................... 15
III (b) Key Source Area Visits ................................................................................................... 15
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III (c) Capacity Building for Core Community ......................................................................... 17
III (d) Dissemination of Information Regarding Government Schemes .................................... 17
IV Skill Building and Vocational Training ............................................................................ 18
IV (a) Skill Upgradation of Women ........................................................................................... 18
IV (b) Vocational Training for Youth ........................................................................................ 18
IV (c) Migration Resource Centre ............................................................................................. 18
IV (d) Community Kitchen ......................................................................................................... 19
IV (e) Networking and Advocacy ............................................................................................... 19
4. Project Management .............................................................................................................. 21
5. Impact .................................................................................................................................... 21
6. Overall Assessment ............................................................................................................... 22
7. Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 22
Annexure 1 .................................................................................................................................... 23
Annexure 2 .................................................................................................................................... 24
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1. SUMMARY
The project “Building capacities of migrant construction workers to access basic entitlements in
Mumbai” commenced in April 2012 aims to build construction workers’ capacities by increasing
their access to basic entitlements, raising awareness about crucial health and hygiene issues, and
providing them with relevant skills training. These objectives are pursued through community
engagement activities, training programmes, building linkages with relevant facilities and
organizations, and active advocacy work on behalf of migrant workers. The project report lists
our successes for the year April 2013 to March 2014. Our health awareness and prevention
programmes have made significant inroads among construction workers and their families; we
have provided substantial information regarding best health and hygiene practices and facilitated
medical treatment and screenings for children and adults alike. We have provided substantial
information on health practices through 16 lok doots or street plays reaching over 3000 people
and 24 community meetings which reached over 700 people. We facilitated 9 medical, 4 Eye
Camp and 4 immunization camps which reached over 800 people. MMC is also proud to have
helped over 400 construction workers obtain PAN cards giving them greater access to public
services and the possibility of opening bank accounts. Additionally, we have facilitated - six
vocational training courses for youths and construction workers living on construction sites in
association with IDEMI (MSME – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), and three financial
literacy trainings in association with Swadhar and three Home Management Trainings in
association with Disha Foundation for women living on construction sites. One of the most
significant achievements of the last year has been the establishment of four Migration Resource
Centers (of which two are now closed) with the goal of improving access to information and
services amongst sites. We also successfully facilitated opening of 7 Permanent Retirement
Accounts in association with UTI. Our team has visited other NGOs working with migrant
communities both in Mumbai and at source areas of migration in order to better understand the
issues that our target population faces.
Over the two years, we have encountered a few challenges in the implementation of some of our
programmes. We have not been able to help as many community members as we had anticipated
to open bank accounts or purchase life insurance policies. We have facilitated opening of three
savings bank account and 7 National Pension Scheme (Swavalamban) Policies in association
with UTI. Further, we were not able to participate in as many advocacy meetings as we had
hoped.
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Despite these challenges, the overall implementation of the programme has been very successful
and we hope to continue making great strides in empowering the migrant community. Going
forward, we will build upon the projects that we have underway in order to further increase
capacities and awareness among construction workers in Mumbai.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
2 (a) Construction Industry
The construction industry has been broadly classified into building projects like houses, offices,
schools, factories, shops, hospitals, power plants, and stations, as well as infrastructure projects
including roads, tunnels, bridges, dams, canals, docks, and more. These projects involve
personnel of different cadres starting from unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labourers and
extending to technical and management personnel, including the contractors. The contractors are
the people responsible for the day-to-day oversight at the construction site and providing all the
materials, labour, services, and equipment necessary for the project.
The construction industry is the single largest employer of migrant labourers, a highly
marginalized group, in Indian cities. Over 14 million men and women work in this sector and
they are largely unorganized. There is very little predictability or security in the life of migrant
workers- they move from place to place in search of an income and their work is generally
characterized by insecurity of wages and highly dangerous working conditions. Most migrant
labourers have low levels of literacy and usually speak their native language, which disallows
them from accessing many types of jobs and vocational opportunities. They largely lack access
to any kind of welfare or government benefits, even those from which slum-dwelling and other
poor citizens benefit. The children of these workers- estimated to be over 30 million in number-
reap the difficulties of such a situation. They live in extreme poverty and their parents are
constantly working; as such, they are left to fend for themselves on the inhospitable construction
sites or labour camps.
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2 (b) The Saksham Project – “Building capacities of migrant construction workers to access
basic entitlements in Mumbai”
An important aspect of Mumbai Mobile Creches’ work is its Saksham Project. As part of the
Saksham Project, Mumbai Mobile Creches (MMC) coordinates a number of different initiatives
to engage community members and enable migrant workers to access basic entitlements,
opportunities, healthcare, and government benefits. The programme addresses issues regarding
financial inclusion, ration cards, and insurance; these issues are particularly crucial in helping
these communities become more visible. The team undertakes this on-site work in combination
with developing linkages with society organizations, thus increasing understanding and
awareness about issues that migrant families face. The Saksham Project team works directly with
migrant communities to share important information and best practices regarding health,
hygiene, and nutrition. Lastly, the Saksham team does intensive work directly with the
government in order to facilitate better government services on construction sites. We also
network with like-minded NGOs to further the cause of migrant workers and advocate on behalf
of migrant children on construction sites.
2 (c) Project Rationale and Objectives
Over the past three years, the MMC Saksham team has initiated and implemented a number of
new programs and work strategies to increase the scope and effectiveness of the programme.
These included efforts to facilitate pan cards and the opening of bank accounts for many
community members. The formation of the Sakhi, a federation for women living on construction
sites and working as teachers with MMC, constituted a significant achievement and has served as
an important means by which the women have supported one another’s efforts towards financial
self-sufficiency and develop greater understanding of Saksham project’s work across all sites of
MMC.
The rationale of the current project is that further strengthening and expansion of the advocacy
programme’s initiatives will allow migrant workers better access to information and resources.
The goals of the current project, aimed to conclude in 2014, are multi-pronged, as they all
address important facets of the larger effort to effectively advocate for the rights of migrant
workers. The following are the primary goals of the project:
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A. Undertake a comprehensive health awareness programme for the migrant worker.
B. Undertake a financial literacy and services programme for the migrant worker.
C. Provide and share information on existing government service and entitlements to
food, health, childcare and financial inclusion. This will be done through creating
resource materials such as posters and pamphlets as well as performing street theatre
to spread awareness.
D. Facilitate job trainings and skill building for men and women living on construction
sites.
E. Network and advocate for the rights of migrant construction workers.
The following are the primary objectives of the project:
A. Health programme- to understand health needs of construction workers, increase their
awareness about various health issues, and enhance their access to health services.
B. Financial literacy and services programme- to advocate options for savings and
facilitating appropriate linkages for great financial inclusion of construction workers.
C. Capacity building and knowledge sharing- to enhance knowledge and build
competencies of the community (Sakhi Federation) and staff on various issues to
facilitate all-around inclusion at the construction community.
D. Skill building and vocational training- to encourage skill upgradation among
community members and increase the bargaining capacities of workers.
E. Migration resource centre- to create a learning center on site for regular information
dissemination to work and build their knowledge through various programmes.
F. Community kitchens- providing healthy and economical meals to the community on
site by using the community kitchen model.
G. Networking and advocacy- increase participation in various networks to actively
advocate for inclusion of the construction workers’ entitlements in various facilities
and schemes of the state.
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3. PROGRAMME FINDINGS
3 (a) Fulfillment of Objectives
Activities Rating Rationale
1. Health Programme
1.(a) Preventive Health Programme Very Satisfactory More than target number of
events held and number of
people reached exceeded.
1.(b) Health Awareness Programme Very Satisfactory More than target number of events
held.
1.(c)Hygiene Pogramme Very Satisfactory More than target number of events
held.
1.(d)Addiction Awareness programme Very Satisfactory More than target number of events
held and number of people reached
exceeded
1.(e) Medical Care Satisfactory Reached 14 children and 2
adults.
1.(f) Linkages Satisfactory Successful in establishing
several linkages.
1.(g) Study Very satisfactory Successfully completed.
II.Finacial literacy& services programme
II.(a) Strengthen SHG Satisfactory 11 meetings held over the year
with an average attendance of
20 members.
II.(b) Advocacy on life Insurance Less Satisfactory While we succeeded in
creating awareness, we were
successful in facilitating
opening of only seven
National Pension Scheme
Policies in association with
UTI.
II.(c) Advocacy on Health Insurance Very Satisfactory More than the target number
of events held and number of
people reached exceeded.
II.(d)Income Generation for SHGs Satisfactory Held 6 events, average
attendance of 20 women.
II.(e)PAN Cards Very Satisfactory Target was exceeded with
over 400 pan cards facilitated
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in the year.
II.(f)Bank Account Less Satisfactory Against a target of 50 bank
accounts, we were successful
in opening 3 bank accounts.
III.Capacity Building and knowledge
Sharing
III.(a)Exchanges to others NGOs Less than
Satisfactory
Visited 2 NGOs- one within
Maharashtra and one outside
Maharashtra
III.(b)Key Source Area Visit Very Satisfactory Visited Latur, Osmanabad,
Beed and Yavatmal districts
within Maharashtra and
Ganjam and Khurda districts
outside Maharashtra
III.(c) Capacity Building for Sakhi Very Satisfactory Held 7 events for Sakhi
members with an average
attendance of 20 members.
III.(d) Dissemination Information on
Schemes
Very Satisfactory Exceeded the number of target
events and people reached.
IV.Skill Building and Vocational
Training
IV.(a)Skill Up gradation for women Very Satisfactory Trained 128 women through 6
trainings.
IV.(b)Vocational Training for youth Very Satisfactory Trained 133 men through 6
trainings.
V .Migration Resource Centre
Very Satisfactory Currently three MRCs are
operational on our sites.
VI.Networking and Advocacy
Less than
satisfactory
We participated in significant
number of local advocacy
meetings but participated in
less meetings on the State and
National level than we had
hoped for.
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3 (b) Project Design and implementation: Identificaion of construction sites for intervention
We determined a set of criteria by which to select sites for programming which included a
minimum two-year plan for construction work on the site and expressed builder support for the
activities.
The following is a list of the initial six construction sites selected to carry out our programme:
1. Talib and Shamsi Lemon Tree Project, Lokhandwala Township, Opp. Green
Meadows Building, Kandivali (East), Mumbai. (Referred to as Lemon Tree
project in this report)
2. Hiranandani Constructions, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai. (Referred to
as HCC Powai project in this report)
3. K. Raheja Corp, Behind Taj Flight Kitchen, Near Hyatt Hotel, Airport Road,
Sahar, Mumbai. (Referred to as Sahar project in this report)
4. Lodha Paradise, on Eastern Express Highway, Next to Majiwade Flyover, Thane
(West) (Referred to as Lodha Paradise project in this report)
5. Hiranandani Estate, Patlipada, Ghodbunder Road, Thane(West) (Referred to as
Patlipada project in this report)
6. Lodha Casabella, near Khidkaleshwar Temple, Kalyan Sheel Road, Dombivali
(East), Thane. (Referred to as Lodha Casa Bella project in this report)
The MMC day care centre at the Lodha Paradise site in Thane suddenly shut on
December 31, 2013. We, therefore, were forced to shift our Saksham project to
Bhakti Park, Anik Development Corporation, Labour Camp, Opp. MHADA
Colony, near Imax Theatre, Wadala, Mumbai 400 037. The Lodha Casabella
project closed on March 31, 2014; rest of the sites continue to operate as on date.
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I HEALTH PROGRAMME
I (a) Preventative Health Programme
We have conducted 15 events across our 6 sites as part of our preventative health programme.
These included 6 street plays, 1 youth meeting, and 9 community meetings on malaria,
cleanliness and hygiene, pre-natal and post- natal care. We reached over 2,300 men and women
through these initiatives.
I (b) Health Awareness Programme
We organized 4 Eye Camp, 9 Health camp and 4 Immunisation Camps (including Tetanus
vaccine for adults) as part of our health awareness programme. We reached over 800 workers
and children through these initiatives. Of the total of 17 events, 4 were conducted at Sahar, 2 at
H.C.C Powai, 3 at Lodha Paradise, 1 at Lodha Casabela and 7 at the Patlipada site.
I (c) Hygiene Programme
We conducted 7 lokdoots and 11 community meetings as part of our Hygiene Programme. Of the
7 street plays, 4 were held at Patalipada, 1 at Lodha Casabela, 1 at H.C.C Powai and 1 at Lemon
Tree; of the eleven community meetings 4 were held at Lemon Tree, 1 at Lodha Paradise, 2 at
H.C.C Powai, 1 at Lodha Casabela, 1 at Patlipada site and 2 at Sahar sites. Through these
initiatives we reached over 1500 men and women living on construction sites.
I (d) Addiction Awareness Programme
We conducted 3 street plays and 4 meetings on addiction awareness reaching over 1100
construction workers as part of our addiction awareness programme.
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I (e) Medical Care
We are working on 16 medical cases (14 children and 2 adults) from our 6 sites.
I (f) Strengthen Existing and Establish New Linkages with Hospitals
In the first year of the project, we conducted a survey that showed that construction workers
spend 34% of their income on health. For this reason, we work to link construction workers to
government hospitals and other organizations. Additionally, we implement health camps, eye
camps, and health awareness programmes on construction sites.
Linkages
Below are a few health posts, dispensary and hospitals with whom we have partnered to
strengthen medical access options for migrant workers:
Health Posts:
Damupada Health Post, Kandivali
Akurli Road Maternity Home/Health
Post, Kandivali
Balkumb Manpada Health Post, Thane
Majiwada Health Post, Thane
Hiranandani Health Post, Hiranandani
Complex Powai
Primary Health Centre, Nilaje Village,
Dombivali (East)
Dispensaries:
Dispensary at Akurli Road Maternity
Home, Kandivali (East)
L&T Health Centre, Andheri (East)
Dr Vipin Samant Leelavati Clinic, Nilaje
Village, Dombivali
Shipa Dispensary Chimat Pada Marol
Village
Hospitals:
Bhagwati, Municipal Hospital, Borivali
(W)
Civil Hospital, Thane
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital,
Kalwa, Thane
Paramount Hospital, Saki Naka,
Mumbai
Glamix Hospital, Mulund
Marol Maternity Hospital
Marol Bai Tulmal Charitable Hospital
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Agarwal Hospital, Mulund
Western Hospital, Kandivali (E)
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the
Hearing, Bandra
Bachoo-Ali Hospital, Parel
Laxmi Charitable Trust Hospital, Panvel
K.E.M. Hospital, Parel
Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General
Hospital, Sion
Anand Dighe Hospital, Thane
Shastrinagar Hospital, Dombivali (West)
All India Institute of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Haji Ali Children Orthopedic Hospital
Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
KB Bhabha Municipal General Hospital,
Kurla
Kamgar Hospital, Kandivali (E)
Shushrusha Hospital, Dadar
I (g) Study
We have completed a study to understand the health needs and behavior of over 100 community
members. For further details please see the detailed report.
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II FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SERVICES PROGRAMME
The Financial Literacy and Services Programme is an essential aspect of our efforts to advocate
on behalf of migrant communities. Specifically, this programme aims to facilitate greater
financial inclusion for construction workers and make it possible for them to pursue effective
saving strategies. Through our previous survey conducted in 2010, we found that 63% of
construction workers do not have bank accounts. Of these nearly 39% of workers had been living
in Mumbai for 15+ years and yet did not have bank accounts.
II (a) Strengthening the Self-Help Groups
One way in which we aimed to facilitate financial inclusion was by further strengthening the
self-help groups established through Sakhi, the women’s federation for women who are teachers
with MMC and associated with the construction industry or living on a construction site. In the
period April 2013-March 2014, we conducted eleven Sakhi meetings; on average, 20 members
attended each of these meetings. During these meetings, information relating to life insurance in
general and Jan Shree Bima Yojana,Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandai Aarogya Yojana,Indira Gandhi
Matrutva Sahyog Yojana policy in specific was disseminated. Additionally, importance of
Aadhar cards and National Pension Schemes (Swavalamban) were discussed.
MMC team was successful in facilitating setting up of an SHG for women living on the Patlipada
site. 15 women who are members of this SHG, Ramabai Swayam Sahyata Mahila Bachat Gat
save Rs 200 per month and have collected a total of Rs 6000 thus far. They look forward to
setting up small businesses in the future.
Please refer to Annexure 1: Case Study 2
II (b) Life Insurance and II (c) Health Insurance
The advocacy team has utilized the lokdoot (street play) format to conduct - seven street plays on
the topic of health insurance and one on the topic of life insurance during April 2013-March
2014. We also organized 8 community meetings on awareness of Life Insurance and Health
Insurance with the help of LIC agents at Lodha Paradise, Sahar and H.C.C sites for the workers
living on these sites. Through these lokdoots, community meetings, the advocacy team
14
explained what it means to have an insurance policy and why it is important. Through these
events at our sites, we reached over 2100 men and women.
II (d) Income Generation Options
We conducted 6 income generation programmes at our training centre for our Sakhi members.
The topics discussed were - objectives of the Self Help Groups, distribution of work among its
members, roles and responsibilities in any business, how to develop positive attitude and
entrepreneurship management. The resource persons invited were Ms.Shyamla Nathan and Team
from Women India Trust, Mr. Kalidas Rote from Mumbai Smile, Mr.Kailash Tandel from TISS
and Mr. Amit Mere from Disha Foundation.
II (e) Pan Cards, Aadhar Cards and II (f) Bank Accounts
In considering financial inclusion for construction workers, the facilitation of pan cards and bank
accounts is of utmost importance. A pan card is instrumental in accessing a number of different
services and benefits and serves as an important government-approved proof of identity. A pan
card also helps ease the process of opening a bank account, which provides a safe medium for
saving money. In April 2013-March 2014, the advocacy team facilitated the registration of over
400 pan cards. Additionally, the advocacy team conducted 22 community meetings focused on
pan cards, aadhar cards, and bank accounts, attended by over 600 people. These meetings
provided community members with important information about the processes of applying for
pan cards and opening bank accounts, which many of the attendees are now undertaking.
Furthermore, the advocacy team helped 3 community members open bank accounts, 1 from
Sahar, and 2 from Patlipada.
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III CAPACITY BUILDING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
III (a) Exchange to Other NGOs
Capacity building work is an essential piece of this project’s larger goals, as it enables the
highest possible levels of effectiveness and sustainability in our work. As part of this work,
MMC team visited Aajeevika Bureau, Ahmedabad and Udaipur to discuss goals and strategies
for supporting the rights of construction workers and on core migration services focusing
on outreach, registration, legal aid, collectivisation, skill training, documentation and MIS. In the
month of January 2014 the team visited to Vidhayak Sansad, an organization working to
empower tribals through education, training and economic development programmes.
III (b) Key Source Area Visits
Migration from over 16 different states was recorded at our centres last year. Maharashtra
accounted for highest migration at 39% and Odisha accounted for 3% of the migration. In
December, 2013, the team went for an exposure visit within Maharshtra to Latur, Osmanabad,
Beed and Yawatmal districts. The team visited to different NGOs like Kalapandhari, Paryay,
Savitribai Phule Mahila Mandal and Gramin Samasya Mukti Trust. In January, 2014, the team
went for a visit outside Maharashtra to Khurda and Ganjam districts in Odisha, with a visit to the
organisation - Darbar Sahitya Sansad (DSS).
Exposure visit within Maharashtra
Kalapandhari
MMC team attended community meetings at Laman Tanda, Garsuli village in Latur District. The
tanda being far away from the village, the community had very little civic amenities. 75% of
community migrates to Vidarbha and Karnataka, mostly for work in sugar cutting or road
construction. Kalapandhari, the NGO who coordinated this visit is a rights-based organisation
working for women and children. They run the national Childline programme, along with group
formation and sensitisation interventions with the children on child rights and education.
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Paryay (Osmanabad)
Paryay is an organisation working on issues of women empowerment through Self Help Group
formation. The MMC team held discussions at Pargaon village with one of the thirteen SHGs
facilitated by Paryay. Promoting entrepreneurship among the women, Paryay encourages them to
start their own business like dairy farming, tailoring, etc.
Further, The MMC team saw the work of Savitribai Phule Mahila Mandal in Beed and Gramin
Samasya Mukti Trust at Wani.
The team visited to Mulava village, Yavatmal district and met Sandeep and Kiran Paikrao who
work at Patlipada Hirnandani construction sites. Both of them had to the village to build their
house under Governement’s Gharkul Yojana.
Exposure visit outside Maharashtra
Darbar Sahitya Sansad
The team visited Darbar Sahitya Sansad (DSS) in Odisha. The organisation is located in source
village of Sodhua, Bali- Patna tehsil in Khurda district. DSS is working with Tata Trust for the
past 3 years in the BIDESIA project. In this project DSS provides services like registration, ID
cards, health camps, community awareness program, legal awareness camps and clinics,
counselling and skill training and facilitates formation of collectives. The team also visited
Shramik Sahayta Evam Sandarbh Kendra which was at Nimapara.
Visit to Ganjam District
The MMC team visited villages of migrants who work on our sites in Mumbai. The team visited
Hinjalicut (Venkat Raipalli village), where they met a migrant family now residing in MMC’s
Sahar centre in Mumbai. Although basic facilities were available in the village, there were no
government hospitals, for which the villagers travel to the city. The team also visited the villages
of Bedsanmadhpur and Purushottampur, villages of migrants from MMC’s Lemon Tree centre in
Mumbai. Although the migrants owned land in the village, due to frequent natural disasters, the
migrant labour mentioned that farming was neither regular nor sufficient.
Through this visit we got the opportunity to know the life of the migrants in their villages and the
facilities available. This visit has also enabled us to build a strong rapport with our migrants,
which will be essential for the future.
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III (c) Capacity Building for Core Community
We conducted seven events to help build capacities in the core community, with an average of
20 members participating in each event. We invited resource people to facilitate meetings
relating to personality development, communication skills, decision making, health and patients’
rights and leadership skills.
III (d) Dissemination of Information Regarding Government Schemes
To disseminate information about available benefits for construction workers that fall below the
poverty line, the advocacy team facilitated 54 community meetings in April 2013-March 2014 on
various schemes that guarantee benefits for those who fall below the poverty line. Pamphlets on
the Law for women, Indira Gandhi Matrutva Sahayog Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandai Aroyga
Yojana, Aam Adami Bima Yojana, National Pension Scheme, Savitribai Phule Sishya Vrutti
Yojana, Janashree Bima Yojana, Kanyadan Yojana, Magel tyala Vyavasayik Prashikshan, Dalit
Vasti Sudhar Yojana, Ashram shalas, Tanda Vasti Sudhar Yojana, Anna Suraksha Yojana,
Patient’s right and booklets detailing information on various Government entitlements were
distributed to over 1000 people through these meetings. Further, the Saksham team facilitated the
registration of over 7 PRAN Cards.
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IV SKILL BUILDING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING
IV (a) Skill Upgradation of Women
In April 2013-March 2014, the Saksham team organized 15 meetings - 8 at Patlipada, 1 at
Lemon Tree, 1 at Bhakti Park and 5 at HCC on skill upgradation and facilitated 3 Home
Manager trainings (two at Patlipada site and one at HCC) and 3 financial literacy trainings.
IV (b) Vocational Training for Youth
Vocational training is essential to ensuring community investment and the sustainability of our
programmes. We have commenced a number of activities to help youth to upgrade their skills
and build vocational as well as educational capacities. From April 2013 to March 2014, MMC
team organized over 33 meetings with the objective of creating awareness of programmes that
will help youth learn skills that will improve their professional prospects. Additionally, we
facilitated six vocational training courses for youth: Patlipada: 2 plumber training programmes,
Hiranandani Powai: 2 electrician training courses and 1 plumber training course, Lemon Tree: 1
electrician training course. All these courses were conducted in partnership with the Institute for
Design of Electrical Measuring Instruments (IDEMI). We were pleased to reach a total of 133
participants (through the six completed courses) who are now able to work as skilled labourers.
Please see the attached Annexure 1: Case Study 1
IV (c) Migration Resource Centre
Migration Resource Centre (MRC) initiative targets the families of migrant workers with the
overall goal of regular information dissemination and building their knowledge through various
programmes. During 2013-14, we inaugurated MRCs on Lemon Tree, Lodha Paradise, HCC and
Patlipada sites. Of these, MRCs at Lemon Tree and Lodha Thane are closed. Thus far the space
has been used to provide migrant communities with literature and newspapers in addition to
acting as a community space for labourers to relax and games such as carrom board and chess.
Our staff visit the centres on a regular basis to provide families with information and advice on
19
government schemes, opening bank accounts, getting PAN cards, combating alcoholism,
HIV/AIDs, etc.
We celebrated Labour Day at Patlipada site by conducting a rally and poster exhibition on
female foeticide. As part of the MRC activities, MMC also organises a number of games for the
construction site communities. The goal of these programmes is to build awareness and trust
among the migrant community while providing them with a space to engage in leisure activities
that they are rarely able to experience within the confines of the construction site. These games
provide an afternoon of fun for the players themselves and the community at large. On 15th
August, we organized a sports day for workers at our site in Sahar wherein 485 labourers
participated with great enthusiasm and on 23rd February 2014, we organised a cricket tournament
at our Sahar site wherein 221 labourers participated. Additionally, the MMC team conducted 30
community meetings to introduce various activities of the Saksham Project to over 1400
construction workers.
IV (d) Community Kitchen
Since we struggled with setting up of community kitchens as builder permissions were hard to
come by, we reallocated our resources in Year 2 to other areas of the programme.
IV (e) Networking and Advocacy
We work with local networks to ensure that migrant workers have access to healthcare and other
basic entitlements. These networks include Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), or People’s Health
Movement, Rationing Kruti Samiti (R.K.S), and Saman Shikshan Mulbhut Adhikar (SSMA).
MMC team participate in three meetings of J.S.A. R.K.S. is a federation of NGO’s in Mumbai
that has sought to make the public distributions system more effective for the poor. We are
working with R.K.S. to ensure that migrant workers are able to get ration cards and have
attended 5 meetings on the issue. SSMA works to implement the Right to Education Act for
Mumbai children. Additionally, we attended two meetings at Yuva’s Training Centre on Labour
issues and one meeting at Avehi on Child Rights. Further, we participated in a state level
advocacy meeting on “What kind of Clinical Establishments Act does Maharashtra need?” at
Patrakar Bhavan on 10th July, 2013 and a state level Advocacy meeting for National Commission
of Protection of Child Rights on 11th July 2013 at Mantralaya. MMC’s Project Coordinator
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attended Labour, Mobility and Mobilization Programme organized by Centre for Informal Sector
and Labour Studies, JNU and Association Jeunes Etudes Indiennes at Delhi.
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4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The project is implemented through a team of four employees; one Project Coordinator
(Advocacy Officer), two Community Organizers, and one Community Supervisor. The team
members are in constant communication to ensure that all activities and programmes are
executed as planned and documented accordingly. MMC team attended a workshop on use of
audio, video and mass media at Avehi and another workshop on capacity building for the
promotion of labour rights for vulnerable groups of workers at the Ambekar Institute for Labour
Studies.
5. IMPACT
At the community level, the impact of this project has been significant. As a result of our health
programme, several thousand workers now have accurate information regarding best personal
health and hygiene practices and nearby medical facilities in the case of medical emergencies or
needs. A number of children and adults have benefitted from medical interventions that were
coordinated by the MMC team. Our efforts regarding financial literacy have helped over 400
people successfully obtain PAN cards. In the last year we successfully opened four Migration
Resource Centres which provides community members with a space to read newspapers,
socialize, and learn. We have also facilitated 6 vocational training courses for youth to provide
them with the skills necessary to become electricians and plumbers.
Our team gained a greater understanding of the push and pull factors affecting migrant labourers
around India through the site visits that they conducted and hope to use this knowledge going
forward to strengthen our current efforts. The team was also able to participate in a number of
different capacity building workshops in order to increase their ability to advocate on behalf of
the migrant labourer. All of these constitute important steps towards greater financial inclusion
and efficacy for migrant workers in Mumbai and will help them receive government benefits,
save money responsibly, and pursue opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
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6. OVERALL ASSESSMENT
We are pleased with the overall progress we have made towards achieving our goals and
objectives. We have successfully held vocational training programmes, empowered community
members with knowledge of the various government schemes they are eligible to access, and
helped a significant number obtain PAN cards. However, there are a few areas where we have
underachieved and in time hope to be able to increase our efforts. We have had limited success
in opening of bank accounts and facilitating purchase of insurance plans. The documentation
required for opening of bank accounts is proving difficult and little awareness exists on the
insurance front making it difficult for labourers earning very low salaries to see the benefits of
paying monthly premiums. We are now focusing on creating awareness on accident insurance
especially since we work on dangerous construction sites. However, we hope that our efforts
have served to empower migrant communities with information that has the potential of
benefiting them in the future.
Overall, we are very satisfied with the programmes progress and expect to see it grow and
expand in years to come. We are poised to extend the programme to other sites in the near future.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
We are excited to see the growth of our work as we build on the successes of this year and the
knowledge we have gained from other NGOs’ experiences. Our day care centres have played an
integral role in the success of our Saksham programme. Our work with migrant workers would
not have been possible without the existence of MMC day care centres or the support of our
teachers, some of whom are part of the Sakhi Federation. We hope to strengthen and expand our
programme to provide migrant labourers with the services that help empower them to break the
cycle of poverty in their futures and their children’s futures!
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ANNEXURE 1
Case Study 1
Sumangal currently works on the Hiranandani Patlipada site. Initially, when Sumangal arrived on
the site, he got a petty job in the canteen, where he earned Rs. 2,500 per month. In a few
months, he started working as a helper in construction work and earned Rs. 6,000 per month.
Through the Saksham project of Mumbai Mobile Creches (MMC), he came to know about the
plumbing training being organised by MMC in association with Institute for Design of Electrical
Measuring Instruments (IDEMI), Mumbai. Sumangal found this to be an excellent opportunity
and enrolled to avail it. During the course, he proved to be a quick learner, and had keen interest
of the work being taught. He now had substantial knowledge of the work, as he had added the
theoretical knowledge to his earlier practical experience of several years. He now earns over Rs.
7,500 per month.
Looking at his expertise in plumbing, an MMC staff, Rajkumari, encouraged his wish to become
a trainer. She guided him when he got his interview at the IDEMI office. He cleared the
interview successfully and is now a trainer of the plumbing course through IDEMI. Sumangal is
sincerely thankful to MMC for promoting the cause of struggling labourers like him, and
providing them with such opportunities to grow in life. He believes that without the continued
guidance and motivation, he would not have made it to where he stands today.
Case Study 2
Vaibhavshali Narwade lives in the construction site of Patlipada with her husband and two
children. Her husband works in the security section of the site, while she is a domestic help. She
earns around Rs. 5,000 per month, from which she yearns to save some amount, and nurtures the
dream to have a small business of her own in the future. She learned about Self Help Groups
from her brother, who is a member of the Yuva Group formed by MMC. When she learned about
an introduction meeting being held to initiate a Self Help Group, she took this as a step towards
realising her dream. She attended the meeting and became a part of the Self Help Group –
Ramabai Bachat Gat, which formed as a result of the meeting. It currently comprises of 15
women and has a bank account with Indian Bank. The group has now applied to Thane
Municipal Corporation for registration. Vaibhavshali has proved her capacity and has been
nominated the President of the group. Each member of the group mandatorily saves a sum of Rs.
200/- per month.
With her active participation in the operations of a Self Help Group, Vaibhavshali has now learnt
to manage her money effectively. Earlier she was unaware of banking operations, which she now
handles on her own, and she is continuously improving at a commendable pace. She now
understands the impact of being a part of an SHG, from which she can avail emergency loans at
substantially low interest rates. Vaibhavshali is ambitious about beginning a small business of
her own in the future through her involvement in the SHG.
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ANNEXURE 2
Electrician training at Lemon tree site
Valedictory function of the vocational training at H.C.C site
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Certificate distribution programme at the Patlipada site
Workshop of the Sakhi group on Financial Literacy in association with Swadhar at Sahar
MRC
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MMC team member at Village Venkatraypalli, Ganjam district, Odisha
Meeting with a worker from our Lemon Tree site at his village in
Purushuttampur, Ganjam District, Odisha
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Key source area visit at Mulava, Maharashtra
Key source area visit at Tivarang, Maharashtra
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Lok doot on Health and Hygiene at the Sahar site
Thank You!
