Internal Migration in India

Context:

Recently, a fake video was found in Tamil Nadu that showed images of locals beating up migrant workers. The issue once again stirred the debates on issues of Internal Migration in India.

What is Internal Migration? 

• Migration is the geographic movement of people across a specified boundary for the purpose of establishing a new permanent or semi-permanent residence. 
• The terms “immigration” and “emigration” are used to refer to moves between countries (international migration). 

Constitutional Provisions:

• Migration within the country for work is a fundamental right of a citizen as upheld by Article 19 of the Constitution of India. 
• The fundamental rights further prohibit human trafficking and guarantee freedom from discrimination based on place of birth, equal opportunities for employment, and protection from forced as well as child labour.  
• Interstate migration comes under the seventh schedule of the Constitution, List I (Union List), entrusting the authority to the central government.

Status of Internal Migration in India:

• According to the 2011 Census, 99% of total migration was internal and immigrants (international migrants).
• In 2017, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation stated that 17 districts accounted for the top 25% of India’s total male out-migration.
• According to the Economic Survey of 2022-23, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of interstate migrants engaged in factories in India. States like Jharkhand and Bihar are amongst the lowest. 

Benefits of Internal Migration in India:

1. Match labour demand and supply
2. Availability of cheap labour
3. Due to internal migration, wages in rural areas increase.
4. Help the economy reap the demographic dividend when quality jobs, adequate healthcare and nutrition and universal social protection are provided. 
5. Circular migration or repeat migrants are the backbone of our economy and contribute at least 10% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP).  
6. Improve Quality of Life
7. Social Remittances: Migration makes migrants’ social lives better because they learn about new cultures, customs, and languages, which helps people get along better with each other and makes sure that people are more equal and tolerant. 
8. Help India reach Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG-8) which will “Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.” 

Challenges faced by Internal migrants:

1. Lack of social security and health benefits.
2. Lack of access to affordable housing and basic amenities.
3. Exclusion from Political Rights.
4. Language, food and other cultural barriers
5. Exploitation, discrimination and non-payment of wage
6. Sexual abuse and gender violence.
7. Trafficking and bonded labour
8. Health hazards, accidents and deaths

Challenges in addressing internal labour migration issues in India:

• No policy framework: There is a lack of a policy framework for the inclusion of internal migrant workers in India. 
• Invisible workers: Migrant workers are not covered by protective law since India has not ratified the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention, 2011. 
• Little to no emphasis on migration: A latest report observes that there has been little to no emphasis on migration within the country. 

Way Forward:

• There is a need to bring together different sectors.
• Streamlining recruitments should be focused to eliminate occupational vulnerability and strive towards humane working conditions in the various sectors. 
• Need to introduce outreach methods to provide information, education and communication support to migrant workers. 
• Need to create separate management bodies for interstate migration.
• The other necessary reforms include a) Ensuring financial inclusion for the migrants, b) Moving towards a universal social protection system; c) Guaranteeing dignified, safe and healthy living and working conditions.

News Source: Indian Express

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