Kanniyakumari police to create database of migrant workers at fishing harbours

The Kanniyakumari district police have begun a process to create a database of inter-state and intra-state migrant workers employed at fishing harbours in the district. Superintendent of Police R. Stalin has directed officials from the Fisheries and Police departments to jointly compile the records.

The district has three government fishing harbours at Chinna Muttom, Colachel and Thengapattinam. Hundreds of migrant workers from other states and districts work there as daily wage labourers. Some also go out to sea with fishermen.

According to police officials, identifying the background of these workers has been difficult because many are known only by the names they provide, without any verified documents. This has posed challenges in crime investigations and in securing compensation for workers involved in accidents at sea.

The database will include valid identity cards collected by the fisheries department and fingerprints taken by the police. The information will be recorded and maintained as a central database. Officials say the process will be carried out on weekends, as most workers are busy on weekdays.

The initiative began at the Chinna Muttom harbour after the 61-day fishing ban along the east coast ended. It will be extended to Colachel and Thengapattinam harbours after the fishing ban on the west coast concludes.

Local fishermen's association representatives have welcomed the move. Captain Johnson, a resident of Colachel, said the database will help in ensuring compensation for workers in case of accidents. He also suggested issuing identity cards to migrant workers who go out to sea, to strengthen the initiative's objectives.

SP Stalin said the database is intended not only to prevent crimes but also to ensure the workplace safety of migrant workers.