Guwahati, March 24: Gaurav Gogoi has expressed concern over the rising number of deaths among migrant workers from Assam, describing the situation as a systemic failure and accusing the state government of neglecting the issue.
Referring to recent data, Gogoi said 162 workers from the state have died across the country over the past six months. He noted that the fatalities occurred in factories, construction sites, mines and unsafe living conditions, and argued that these incidents reflect deeper structural problems rather than isolated cases.
Highlighting the underlying causes, the Congress leader said a lack of employment opportunities within Assam is forcing young people to migrate in search of work. He pointed to weakening agricultural prospects, low wages and limited job avenues as key drivers pushing workers into precarious and often hazardous conditions outside the state.
Gogoi also criticised the government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that it has failed to acknowledge the scale of the crisis or prioritise the issue in its policy agenda. He accused the administration of overlooking the plight of migrant workers despite recurring fatalities.
Questioning the state’s development narrative, Gogoi said the current model places greater emphasis on “optics over people,” adding that the situation reflects a lack of accountability towards vulnerable sections of society.
Assam has historically witnessed outward migration, particularly among rural youth seeking livelihoods in other states. However, the reported rise in deaths has intensified concerns over labour safety, working conditions and the absence of adequate safeguards for migrant workers.
