# ESL helps migrant laborers during Coronavirus pandemic
Bokaro: In its continued efforts towards serving the community, Vedanta Electrosteel Steels Limited (ESL), stepped up its efforts to help migrant labourers who got stranded or have returned to their hometowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
During the pandemic, several migrant labourers, truckers and helpers were stranded, homeless, starved, and stuck in and around the area during the lockdown situation. ESL in association with the district administration took on myriad initiatives to feed the hungry and ensure adequate facilities were provided.
More than 250 migrant labourers and truck drivers stuck were fed daily, twice a day, by the company during the period of lockdown. More than 8000 migrant workers were transported to their respective homes on their arrival to the Bokaro Railway Station from various parts of the country through buses provided by ESL.
ESL’s CSR team also provided dry ration for 9 ‘Dal Bhat Kendras’. The company distributed jaggery and beaten-rice (Chura-Gud) to the control room and block offices, fulfilling almost 30 percent of the total district requirement. The company also helped train and unskilled labourers to help with sewing face masks, phenyls and sanitisers.
Pankaj Malhan, CEO ESL said, looking after the community and the people has always been a top priority for us. We are committed to contributing to the quality of life and social well-being of communities where we operate and beyond. Our business has true meaning when it creates betterment opportunities for the people around us. The migrant labourers are a part of the community and were in need of help in these difficult times.
“ESL’s CSR team has been active in helping them navigate through this pandemic by providing them food, shelter, and a means of livelihood and will continue to do provide support during these difficult times,” he added.
ESL received recognition for their contribution to the fight against COVID-19 by the Bokaro District Administration. In the appreciation letter issued to ESL it stated, “We are extremely pleased with the help offered by the ESL management and employees in our fight against the COVID pandemic.”
“They have worked closely with our office to provide essentials and helped implement measures for the safety of their employees and the community. The hard work done by their team has helped to significantly minimize the spread of the virus,” said Shashi Prakash, Sub-Divisional Officer.
“There was very good work from the ESL team during the lockdown as far as migrant labourers are concerned. The team really helped them in all aspects and was present there to assist them in this time of distress, said PoonamTopo, of the Siyaljori Police Station.
“The Vedanta ESL team arranged food, rations as well as masks and sanitizer for the migrant labourers who were stranded. The ESL team worked very hard to rehabilitate the labourers during the lockdown.”
During the crisis, ESL also helped provide logistics support during the lockdown, installed touch-free hand wash systems produced almost 12000 masks, and distributed masks, soaps, sanitizers, thermal guns, and PPE kits.
The company also undertook the responsibility of feeding 4000 stray animals. The team ensured thorough sanitization and social distancing marking at important places like banks and shops. Almost 60,000 liters of sodium hypochlorite was used to disinfect villages in Bokaro.
