1 Research Scholar, School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Email: sreedevithachom@gmail.com
2Associate Professor, Centre for Study of Developing Economies, School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Email id: gopinath@tiss.edu, respectively
Online published on 10 May, 2021.
Migration process contributes to the economic development, cultural diversity and social dynamics of the state. The state of Kerala has experienced migration mainly from southern states but recently there has been an influx of inter-state migrants from the northern states. The migrant labourers are employed in all sectors irrespective of rural or urban localities. They are mainly working in the informal sector doing unskilled or semi-skilled job and have percolated into all sectors. The paper analyses the migration experience and the socio-economic condition of the inter-state migrants working in the construction from their living and working environment. The theoretical understanding of NELM and institutions theory helps to determine the migration decision framework. The paper tries to study the social security schemes introduced by the government to protect the rights and privileges of the migrant population. Therefore it is also the state and the government that need to impart the sense of security and inclusion in the social, economic and political activities of the migrants. The fact that they are not unionised and are unaware of their labour rights and obligations makes it even more challenging to the government. It is important to study the social wellbeing of the inter-state migrant workers who come to Kerala from a rights based approach and see how they have become part of the development process in the state. It is essential to formulate migration policy initiatives that will enhance the socio-economic and political conditions of the migrants.
Inter-state migrants, Social security, Inequality, Inclusion
