No products in the cart.
Empowerment of Rural-Urban Migration in India: A Path to Safe and Dignified Livelihoods
In India, rural-urban relocation of workers has long been associated with distress and hardship, overshadowing the fact that it can also be a voluntary aspirational choice driven by economic and social growth. This skewed perspective has led to a lack of policy measures to ensure the safe and dignified relocation of migratory workers,
October 3, 2023: This article explores the various dimensions of rural-urban workers’ migration in India and proposes steps to change the narrative around this critical aspect of livelihoods.
Understanding the patterns of migration/distinct types of migration
Migration for wealth creation
Some individuals with access to economic resources and a robust social network migrate to other regions to establish businesses or pursue job opportunities, often seen as wealth creation.
Distress migration
Typically observed in rural areas, this form of migration arises from the failure of primary occupations, natural disasters, or other factors, forcing people to migrate as a coping mechanism.
Voluntary migration for economic growth
People from rural India voluntarily migrate to urban areas seeking greener pastures – economic and social advancement. They seek better opportunities, higher wages, improved working conditions, and enhanced career prospects.
The significance of migration in Odisha
The Ganjam–Surat district corridor is a significant hub for labor migration, particularly from southern Odisha. Migration has become a primary source of livelihood for a large part of the population in these areas. Migrant workers often start with modest incomes but gradually remit substantial amounts of money back to their home villages, leading to notable social, cultural, and economic transformations.
Impact of migration
Improved standard of living
Increased disposable incomes from remittances enable migrant workers to invest in housing improvements and land leasing.
Semi-skilled workers gain valuable knowledge and skills that they utilize for better investments, such as setting up small businesses back home and generating additional income for their families.
Enhanced social status
Migration challenges traditional sociocultural hierarchies, offering opportunities for marginalized castes to find better work prospects.
Returning migrants often leverage their acquired skills and capital to establish new ventures, contributing to local economic growth.
Reshaping Aspirations:
Access to improved educational infrastructure
Migration serves as a means for them to access different livelihoods and broader opportunities, and exposure to new technologies encourages rural youth to explore diverse career options beyond traditional occupations.
Migration serves as a means for them to access different livelihoods and broader opportunities.
Challenges in recognizing migration as a livelihood strategy
Despite the positive impact of migration, government policies often overlook discussions of job creation and income generation. Policy measures for safe and dignified migration are lacking, primarily due to the prevailing perception that migration is distress-driven.
The Path Forward
Recognizing voluntary migration
The first step toward ensuring safe and dignified migration is recognizing that many individuals choose migration as a way to improve their quality of life.
Improving banking infrastructure for families back home
Enhancing banking services in rural areas is crucial to enable migrant workers to transfer remittances to their families securely
Developing Tailored Skilling Programs at Source Districts:
Customized skill development programs for potential migrant workers can help prevent early dropouts from education and equip them with the skills needed for better livelihood opportunities.
Addressing destination state measures
Enabling children’s education, and ensuring access to timely medical care for migrant workers
Recognizing migration as a voluntary choice made by individuals to enhance their quality of life is essential for fostering safe and dignified migration in India. Policy measures must be implemented, including improving banking infrastructure, tailoring skilling programs, and addressing destination state issues.
Migration should be viewed as a crucial component of livelihood policies, promoting safe, responsible, and dignified migration as a shared priority among governments, businesses, financial institutions, and civil society organizations.
