Editorial 1 : Migration, After Covid
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted migration, halting mobility and worsening migrant vulnerabilities.
Impact of the Pandemic on Migration
- Immediate Effects
- Triggered reverse urban-to-rural migration
- 44.13 million migrants returned during the first lockdown (2020).
- 26.3 million during the second lockdown.
- Vulnerable groups affected: Low-wage, low-skilled, seasonal migrants faced wage theft, food insecurity, healthcare gaps, and discrimination.
- Economic strain on families reliant on remittances.
- Long-Term Shifts
- Most migrants returned to urban areas post-pandemic, reverting to pre-COVID patterns.
- Rural economy failed to absorb returnees despite MGNREGA’s temporary relief.
Internal Migration Dynamics
- Drivers of Urban Migration
- Push Factors
- Rural distress: Low wages, limited opportunities, and climate change impacts (e.g. Odisha’s agriculture decline due to climate shifts).
- Aspirational migration: Urbanization goals (40% of India’s population projected in cities by 2026).
- Policy Drivers: Smart Cities Mission relies on migrant labour for urban development.
- Challenges in Rural Absorption
- MGNREGA provided only partial relief.
- Climate change exacerbates rural distress, accelerating out-migration.
International Migration Trends
- Post-Pandemic Shifts
- GCC Countries: Remain a key destination but face job losses and wage cuts.
- New Destinations
- Europe: Rise in highly skilled migrants (India top beneficiary of EU Blue Card in 2023; non-traditional destinations like Malta and Georgia).
- Africa: Growing opportunities in IT, healthcare, and manufacturing (though risks persist, e.g. stranded workers in Cameroon).
- Key Sectors Driving Migration
- Healthcare Workers: High global demand post-pandemic.
- Student Migration
- Kerala’s student emigrants doubled from 1.29 lakh (2018) to 2.5 lakh (2023).
- RBI data: Outward remittances for education hit $3,171 million in 2021.
- Risks highlighted by the Russia-Ukraine war crisis.
- Remittance Resilience: Remittances sustained households despite pandemic disruptions, reinforcing their role in development.
Migration Governance Challenges
- Policy Gaps
- e-Shram Portal (2021): Aimed to create a database for unorganized workers but faced low registrations due to lack of awareness/digital access.
- One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) (2018): Improved food security for migrants but excluded many due to implementation barriers.
- Need for Reforms
- Systematic evaluation of social security schemes.
- Expansion of migrant support networks beyond traditional destinations.
Data Deficiencies
- Census Delay: 2021 Census postponed, hindering accurate migration assessment.
- PLFS Data Limitations: 2020-2021 survey data skewed due to pandemic flux.
- Emigrant Database: Ministry of External Affair’s estimates likely undercount migrants; no centralized tracking system.
Case Study: Kerala Model as a Blueprint
- Kerala Migration Surveys (since 1998) enabled data-driven policies.
- Replicated in states like Odisha, Goa, and Punjab. Its expansion recommended nationwide.
Way Forward: Recommendations
- Policy Actions
- Strengthen rural economies to reduce distress-driven migration.
- Improve awareness and accessibility of welfare schemes (e.g. e-Shram, ONORC).
- Data Infrastructure
- Expedite Census 2021 and adopt Kerala-style migration surveys nationally.
- Develop a comprehensive emigrant database.
- Global Engagement: Expand diplomatic and consular support for migrants in non-traditional destinations.
Conclusion: India’s migration landscape reflects a resilient yet vulnerable system. While urban migration rebounds and international patterns diversify, systemic gaps in governance, data, and rural development persist. Addressing these challenges is critical to safeguarding migrants’ rights and making migration, a driver of economic growth.