Circular migration: looking at both sides of the debate

Source: The post is based on the article “Circular migration: looking at both sides of the debate” published in “The Hindu” on 4th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- population and associated issues; urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.

News: The author discusses “circular migration,” where people move between countries for work and return home periodically, contrasting it with other migration types. They explore its impact, benefits, and challenges in countries and specifically within India, emphasizing its effects on economies, societies, and individuals, and suggest it as a potentially balanced migration policy.

What is circular migration?

Circular migration is defined by temporary residence, potential for multiple entries, and freedom of movement between origin and destination.

A circular migrant completes at least two loops between the origin and destination.

India experiences substantial internal circular migration, notably from rural to urban areas, often for jobs in sectors like construction.

What are the impacts of circular migration on India?

Economic Impact

Circular migration, especially from rural areas to cities like in India, has both advantages and disadvantages.

The construction sector in India notably employed a large number of rural males between 2004-2005 and 2011-2012 due to internal migration.

Social Impact

The migration influences family dynamics, sometimes increasing women’s decision-making power in the absence of men.

However, migrants can face exploitation and poor working conditions, especially when language barriers are present, like moving to southern states in India.

Infrastructural Impact

Urban areas may experience infrastructural strain due to the influx of migrants, like housing challenges, while rural areas may see economic dwindling.

The pandemic in 2020 highlighted the precarious nature of migrant jobs, as many had to return home during lockdowns, revealing a need for better migrant worker support and policies.

What are the challenges of circular migration?

Worker Exploitation

In India, circular migrants, particularly to southern states, can face exploitation and unsafe working conditions.

They sometimes work in unsanitary conditions, with limited protective equipment, and might deal with middlemen or brokers who may take advantage of them.

Economic Strain

Migrants often engage in low-skill jobs, earning just enough to support themselves and their families, with little room for savings or asset creation.

Although they may access higher-paying jobs in the destination, the work is often seasonal and irregular, leading to financial instability.

Social and Infrastructural Pressure

Both rural and urban areas can experience different kinds of strain: rural areas might see economic and demographic declines, while urban areas might face infrastructural breakdown due to the influx of migrants.

Migrants sometimes face resentment from indigenous wage groups in destination locations, as they’re seen as taking away jobs by working for lower wages.

What should be done?

Policy Formulation

Governments need to formulate policies that accurately comprehend and manage the scope of circular migration.

Ensuring thorough documentation and understanding of migrant patterns is crucial for effective policy-making.

Protecting Migrant Rights

Efforts must be intensified to safeguard the rights of migrants, particularly those moving to areas with language barriers like southern Indian states.

Ensuring that workers are not exploited and have access to fair wages and safe working conditions is pivotal.

Infrastructural Development

Addressing the infrastructural pressures in urban areas due to migrant influx and preventing economic dwindling in rural areas is essential.

Enhancing the capability of urban spaces to accommodate incoming populations without collapsing infrastructures is vital.

Health and Safety Provisions

States should introduce health provisions like Kerala’s health insurance scheme for migrant workers, ensuring their well-being and safety during employment periods in the destination regions.

The precarity and vulnerabilities of workers, as witnessed during the pandemic, should be particularly addressed in policy considerations.