The unprecedented situation created by the Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in a massive wave of internal migration in India, as migrant workers return to their home states from cities. The crisis has highlighted several issues that this population faces, including the lack of understanding of their importance, lack of means to properly track them due to their mobility and informality of their work conditions, and the inadequate preparation of government bodies that are ill-equipped to respond to their needs in times of emergencies.
The Internal Migrant Population in India
The internal migrants in India form a diverse and vast group. These individuals can be characterised broadly by three distinctive traits. First, they typically move from rural areas to cities. Secondly, these individuals belong to low-income groups and often find employment in the informal sector in these urban areas. Lastly, they do not relocate their families to cities on a permanent basis, but instead frequently commute between their villages and the cities throughout the year.
Reasons for Migration
Several factors necessitate their migration. But, the most recent wave has been fuelled largely by joblessness caused by the lockdown restrictions in urban areas. As local urban shelters ran out of capacity and supplies became scare, these migrants were left with no choice but to return to their hometowns. While the government attributes the current migration crisis solely to the hardships posed by Covid-19, experts point out underlying structural inadequacies that need addressing.
Circular Migration and Structural Inadequacies
Circular migration, which involves temporary, usually repetitive movement between original and adopted locations for work, characterizes the pattern followed by these internal migrants. The structural inadequacies lie in two main areas. Firstly, there is a failure to recognize the sheer size of these communities and their significance. Secondly, due to the informal living and working conditions of these individuals, combined with their constant migration, it becomes difficult to keep an accurate count of such migrants.
Cost of Inabilities
Such inabilities lead to tangible costs, leaving the government less prepared to respond effectively when these communities are hit by a crisis. Policymakers were found lacking as they were unprepared for the magnitude and urgency of the exodus that ensued post the lockdown announcement.
Humanitarian Measures for Migrants
The Supreme Court has mandated that the migrant population be treated with dignity, extending them adequate food, water, bedding, supplies and psychosocial counselling. The directive includes that these services be provided through volunteer-run shelters rather than security forces.
The Way Forward
For a more effective solution, it is imperative to acknowledge circular migrants as part of India’s urban demographic. This would help authorities better anticipate the potential impact of proposed policies on these communities. There is also a need for easing restrictions that prevent migrants from accessing critical resources, like food rations, in their adopted cities. Reforming the domicile-centric public distribution system can also benefit migrants. Furthermore, prioritising dedicated transport options to prevent overcrowding along high-density migration routes, and implementing measures that consider specific requirements of female migrants, who are particularly vulnerable economically, will greatly benefit the situation.