From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to Migrant;
Why in the News?
Migrant workers from various parts of India are gradually becoming a noticeable presence in the agricultural fields of Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta, often called the granary of South India.
Migrants in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery Delta
- Labour Shortage in Agriculture: The Cauvery Delta, known as the granary of South India, is experiencing a significant shortage of farmhands as the younger generation moves away from agriculture. This has led to a reliance on migrant workers, particularly from states like West Bengal and Bihar, who are skilled in paddy transplanting and harvesting.
- Economic Dynamics: Migrant labourers are filling the labour gap during agricultural seasons, working in groups and completing tasks more quickly than local labourers. They charge around ₹4,500 to ₹5,000 per acre, compared to local workers who earn ₹600 per day.
- Sociocultural Integration: While there hasn’t been significant tension between migrant workers and local labourers, the integration of migrants into the agricultural workforce is still evolving.
- Local labour unions acknowledge the presence of migrant workers but do not see it as a widespread issue yet, partly due to the ongoing mechanization of agriculture and changing job preferences among the local youth.
Dependence on Migrant Workers in Kerala
- Shift in Labor Sources: Kerala has seen a growing dependence on migrant workers from northern and eastern states, including West Bengal and Bihar, to fill labour shortages in various sectors, including agriculture.
- A recent study by the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation estimated the number of inter-state migrant workers in Kerala at 2.5 million, equivalent to 7% of the state’s population.
- Economic Factors: High wage differentials between Kerala and the migrants’ home states, along with a robust urban economy, have made Kerala an attractive destination for migrant labourers.
External Migration from Uttar Pradesh to Maharashtra
- High Migration Rate: Uttar Pradesh tops the list for inter-state job-related migration to Maharashtra, with over 5.7% of migrants moving for employment purposes between 2020 and 2021.
- Concentration of Migrants: Within Maharashtra, districts such as Mumbai and Thane have the highest concentrations of migrants from Uttar Pradesh.
How does the proposed ‘quota-for-local’ Bill impact migrant workers?
What measures can be taken to protect migrant workers from exploitation?
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Lack of Proper Data and Registration
- Historical Data Gaps: The last comprehensive survey on internal migration was conducted as part of the National Sample Survey in 2007-08, with the Census 2011 data only partially released in 2020.
- Absence of Real-Time Data: During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Indian government did not collect data on the deaths or job losses of internal migrants. The Ministry of Labour and Employment confirmed that it maintained no records of migrant workers who lost their jobs or lives during this period.
Legislation:The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 was enacted to protect the rights and regulate the conditions of service for migrant workers who move between states in India for employment. Implementation Challenges
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Way forward:
- Promote Sustainable Employment and Skill Development in Source Regions: To reduce the over-reliance on migrant labour and address labour shortages in sectors like agriculture, the government should focus on creating sustainable employment opportunities in the migrants’ home states.
- Promote Sustainable Employment and Skill Development in Source Regions: The government should create a real-time migrant data system linked with Aadhaar, enabling targeted policies, social security, and effective crisis response for internal migrants.
Mains PYQ:
Q Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. (UPSC IAS/2015)
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