Exploring the Employment and Social Wellbeing of the Inter State Migrants

Abstract

Abstract newlineThe process of migration is not new in the development journey of an economy. newlineMigration is a part of human history and the process of moving from one place to another newlinecontributes to the economic development, cultural diversity and social dynamics of the newlinepeople and the place. The state of Kerala is known for its success in achieving high newlinehuman development despite relatively low per capita income. The state has experienced newlinehigh levels of emigration to the Middle East and abroad, this emigration has created both newlinewealth and job opportunities at home. As a result the state is able to provide relatively newlinehigh wages. Inter-state migrants have become an integral part of Keralaand#8223;s economy and newlinetheir numbers have increased exponentially. Before the 90s, the state of Kerala newlineexperienced migration mainly from southern states but since the previous decade there newlinehas been an influx of inter-state migrants from the northern states. The migrant labourers newlineare employed in all sectors irrespective of rural or urban localities. They are mainly newlineworking in the informal sector doing unskilled or semi-skilled work and have percolated newlineinto all sections for employment. The inter-state migrants face lot of problems in terms of newlineinequality and exclusion at the destination state. Migration is an alternative livelihood newlineoption for many people. The theoretical understanding on the process of migration helps newlineto determine the migration decision framework considering not just the income aspect but newlinealso other non-economic factors. newlineThe present study identifies the factors that influence migration decision based on newlinethe experience of the migrants and by analysing the existing literatures. The socio- newlineeconomic condition of the inter-state migrants in the state who are working in the newlineconstruction sector is studied by looking at their living and working environment. The newlinestudy also examines the migrantsand#8223; wages, employment and unemployment patterns. The newlinerole of social capital and social network forms an important part of migrantand#8223;s life. This newlineaspect also becomes a vital theme in the analysis. The study also evaluates the role and newlineimpact of social security and social protection measures provided to the inter-state newlinemigrant workers in the state of Kerala. newlineKey Words: inter-state migrants, social security, social capital, skill, wages. newline