LABOUR MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT
Migration is the geographic movement of people across a defined boundary for a variety of causes,
most notably social, economic, and political ones. Migration, like fertility and mortality, is a component
of population change. India is a significant country of origin, transit, and a well-liked destination for
workers traveling across international borders. The key drivers of both domestic and international
migration in India include high unemployment, a competitive labour market, and improved livelihood
opportunities in the destination state or country. Natural disasters and pandemics as well as
unemployment are the driving factors of migration in India. People frequently move from rural to urban
areas in search of employment and a means of basic survival. In addition to these factors, ethnic conflict
and natural disasters also contribute to rising migration.
However, the nationwide lockdown and shutting of interstate and international borders to fight the
COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the reverse flow of informal migrant workers. This necessitates the
national and state governments must work together to develop policies for their reverse migration and
smooth reintegration into the post-COVID economy. In India, interstate migrants' vulnerable situation
came to light, raising the issue of whether they really needed to migrate to such far-off places. The
working class, particularly low-income migrant laborers, has been hardest hit by the COVID-19-induced
lockdown. They were laid off in large numbers, left without work, and had their wages delayed in the
destination states, which drove them to travel back to their home countries.
This research has focused on inter-state migration analysis in India. The study has attempted to explain
interstate migration using different push and pull factors.
This study conducted a comparative analysis of the Indian government’s varied approach towards its
internal and international migrants before and after.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of this study was to explain the different factors that affect interstate migration in India.
The study's findings demonstrate the impact of different social and economic factors, which have a
significant impact on movement between states in India. The majority of the variables, including NSDP
per capital, tertiary sector share, wage rates, etc., have shown coefficients that are consistent with
predictions. However, the coefficients of some variables, such as higher education, social spending,
irrigation ratio, road length by area, and irrigation ratio, have demonstrated that greater growth and
development can also affect emigration from a state.
This study's key finding is that economic development, even that driven by the service sector, can
support livelihood opportunities for people all over the nation. As a result of the significant input of
economic growth, policymaking cannot be ignored under any circumstances. Even if the service sector
dominates the economy in the short term, achieving higher economic growth should be the main goal
of policymaking. For better policy making, Government must collaborate with civil society, which has a
strong grassroots presence among migrant communities.
This research emphasized the forced and involuntary nature of reverse migration as a result of the
sudden lockdown, the government's lack of planning and preparation, the employers' careless
behavior, and the hostility of the general populace toward immigrants.
REFRENCES
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ILO Labour Migration Update 2016
Migration in India Wikipedia
Interstate and international Migration data by Ministry of External Affairs
Migration Policy Institute
International Organization for Migration