Why India’s Migrant Deserve a Better Deal

Context: Pandemic induced migrant crisis, if not handled properly could give rise to inequality, poverty and can hamper the economic growth of the country.

Status of Circular Migrants in India

Economic Contribution

• 10 % of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Higher Internal remittances contribution.

Population size

• International Labour Organization: 20 and 90 million domestic workers in India and many are migrants.
• Census of 2011: 139 million interstate migrants with dominance of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Issues with Circular Migration

• Poor working and living conditions: absence of formal contracts and accessibility to welfare state policies.
• Awareness: Not aware about their rights as migrants and workers.
• Lack of data on circular migrants: due to complex subcontracting practices and placements by recruitment agents (dalals and thekedars).
• Unrecognized and underestimated data on circular migration of women for work (less visible forms of work, household maids).

Way Forward

• Encourage role of industry, NGO and academic estimates of migrant numbers in the absence of reliable, nationally representative statistics on circular migrants.
• Minimal bureaucratic response: not constrained by proof of citizenship or domicile status.
• Universal benefits for all: regardless of their documentation status.
• Improve understanding of lived experiences of inclusion/exclusion, and the reasons for their migration.