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Migrant Workers in Kerala: A Study on their Socio-Economic Conditions

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  • Saikia, Dilip

Abstract

This paper examines the socio-economic condition of the migrant workers in Kerala. We analyse the income, consumption and savings pattern, and nature of work of the migrant workers in the Trivandrum district, based on data from a sample of 166 migrant workers. While existing studies provide evidences for short distance migration to Kerala from nearby states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, we find evidence for long distance migration from states like West Bengal and Assam in recent years. We find that informal information networks through migrant workers from native place plays important role in migration of workers to Kerala. Poor economic conditions in the native place and high wage rate and better employment opportunities in Kerala have been identified as the main reasons of migration to Kerala. Though there is barely any change in the nature of employment of the migrants even after migration, there has been a shift from the low-income brackets before migration to high-income brackets after migration. Notwithstanding the improved income level the living condition for most of migrant workers is deplorable, most of them live together in either poor rented houses or work sites with one room shared by many, without proper provision of hygienic sanitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Saikia, Dilip, 2010. "Migrant Workers in Kerala: A Study on their Socio-Economic Conditions," MPRA Paper 68462, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jul 2012.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:68462
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. K.C. Zachariah & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2007. "Migration remittances and employment short-term trends and longterm implications," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 395, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    2. K.C. Zachariah & E.T. Mathew & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2000. "Socio-Economic and demographic consequences of migration in Kerala," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 303, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    3. K.C. Zachariah & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2004. "Gulf revisited: Economic consequences of emigration from Kerala, emigration and unemployment," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 363, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    internal migration; migrant workers in Kerala; reasons of migration; remittances;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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