Recent reports of migrant workers being assaulted in Tamil Nadu have triggered concern among manufacturers in the state. In this essay, we will discuss the legal framework for migrant welfare and analyze data on migration in India.

Legal framework for migrant welfare

The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 looks into the welfare of the laborers. The Act mandates that the establishment that proposes to employ migrant workers is required to be registered with destination states. Contractors will also have to obtain a license from the concerned authority of the home states as well as the host states. However, in practice, this Act has not been fully implemented.

The Act has been subsumed into the four broad labor codes notified by the Centre, which include The Code on Wages, 2019; The Industrial Relations Code, 2020; The Code on Social Security, 2020; and The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. However, these have not been implemented yet.

Data on migration

The 2011 census reported the number of internal migrants in India at 45.36 crores, making up 37% of the country’s population. This number includes both inter-state migrants and migrants within each state. The annual net migrant flows amount to about 1% of the working age population.

As per the 2011 census, India’s workforce was 48.2 crores. This figure is estimated to have exceeded 50 crores in 2016. The Economic Survey that year pegged the size of the migrant workforce at roughly 20% of the population, or more than 10 crore individuals.

According to the Report of the Working Group on Migration, 2017 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, 17 districts accounted for the top 25% of India’s total male out-migration. Ten of these districts are in UP, six in Bihar, and one in Odisha. Relatively less developed states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have high net out-migration.

Migration rate

The all-India migration rate was 28.9%, with a 26.5% migration rate in rural areas and 34.9% in urban areas. Females recorded a higher share of migration rate of 47.9%. Among females, the highest level of migration rate was seen at 86.8% for marriage, while the migration rate for males was 10.7%.

MCQs on Migrant Workers in India

  1. What is the legal framework for the welfare of migrant workers in India?
    A. Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979
    B. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
    C. Code on Social Security, 2020
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: A. Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979
    Explanation: The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 is the legal framework for the welfare of migrant workers in India. The Act mandates that the establishment which proposes to employ migrant workers be required to be registered with destination states. Contractors will also have to obtain a licence from the concerned authority of the home states as well as the host states.
  2. What was the size of India’s migrant workforce as estimated in the Economic Survey of 2016?
    A. 45.36 crore
    B. 48.2 crore
    C. 50 crore
    D. 10 crore
    Correct Answer: C. 50 crore
    Explanation: As per the Economic Survey of 2016, the size of India’s migrant workforce was estimated to be roughly 20% of the population, which was more than 10 crore individuals.
  3. What was the migration rate for males according to the essay?
    A. 28.9%
    B. 26.5%
    C. 34.9%
    D. 10.7%
    Correct Answer: D. 10.7%
    Explanation: According to the essay, the migration rate for males was 10.7%. The all-India migration rate was 28.9%, with a 26.5% migration rate in rural areas and 34.9% in urban areas.

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