Archive · 25 Aug 2026
West Bengal Launches Drive for 22 Lakh Migrant Workers
West Bengal has found more than 22 lakh migrant workers in 22 districts.
Many of these workers’ families may not yet have rural employment guarantee cards.
The government has asked local officials to find these families and issue the cards.
Officials must also check whether cards already given out are correct.
Adults in eligible families should then be able to ask for government-supported wage work.
The goal is to help rural families earn money closer to home.
The government hopes this will reduce the need to travel elsewhere for jobs.
Murshidabad has the largest number of identified migrant workers.
West Bengal identified 22,24,060 migrant workers across 22 districts.
The state has launched a special drive to issue rural employment guarantee cards to eligible families.
District administrations must verify existing cards and ensure full coverage of identified families.
Eligible adult family members should be able to request and receive wage-based work.
Murshidabad recorded the highest number of identified migrant workers, followed by Malda and Cooch Behar.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, its Panchayats and Rural Development Department, and district administrations.
- What
- A special campaign to bring migrant workers’ families under the rural employment guarantee programme.
- When
- The initiative was reported on August 25.
- Where
- Across 22 districts of West Bengal.
- Why
- To improve livelihood security, provide wage-based work, and reduce migration in search of employment.
- Identified migrant workers
- 22,24,060
- Districts covered
- 22
- Highest count
- Murshidabad, with 3,86,191 identified migrant workers
- Second-highest count
- Malda, with 2,86,329 identified migrant workers
- Third-highest count
- Cooch Behar, with 1,44,916 identified migrant workers
- District responsibility
- Identify uncovered families, verify issued cards, and ensure eligible adults can obtain work