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GS Paper I – Salient features of Indian Society, Population and associated issues |
Context: A write-up has appeared discussing various aspects of migration and its impacts.
Migration: What is it?
About: According to the definition provided by the International Organization for Migration, a migrant is a person who is moving or has moved out of their customary place of residence, either over an international boundary or inside a state.
Analyzing shifts in migration in terms of magnitude, direction, population, and frequency can help create effective policies, initiatives, and useful interventions.
IMPACTS OF MIGRATION :
Both the places of origin and the places of destination of migrants are impacted by migration.
The main effects of migration are listed below :
a) Demographics Impact: Numerous demographic effects of migration included changes in the age and sex mix of the populations at the origin and destination, as well as a rise in population in the destination area and a reduction in the area of origin.
For example, like population growth or contraction, female migration after marriage causes the sex ratio in the source regions to decrease and in the destination region to increase. Meanwhile, as male workers migrate in pursuit of employment, the working-age population in the source regions declines, increasing the dependency ratio.
b) Societal Impact: When individuals migrate to urban areas from many culturally diverse places, it creates an environment that allows different cultures to mix and eventually create multiple societies. This facilitates people’s transition from narrow-mindedness to generosity and a broader perspective.
The adverse social ramifications of migration include altered family dynamics, dissolution of families, elderly desertion, and poorer child outcomes in terms of employment, health, and education.
c) Economical Impact: An imbalance in the ratio of population to resources occurs when more people migrate and overpopulate a certain area, resulting in resource scarcity. Due to this migration, overpopulation and underpopulation may occasionally be balanced, resulting in the ideal population.
Migration also has an impact on the population’s occupational composition, which has an impact on the local economies. As a result of migration, brain drain can cause the source region to regress even further. This is a result of competent individuals from economically developing nations migrating to wealthy nations in pursuit of greater possibilities. We refer to this phenomenon as the “backwash effect”.
d) Environmental effects: As a result of people migrating in significant numbers from rural to urban regions and creating urban overpopulation, there is increased pressure on natural resources and physical infrastructure.
In the end, this causes slums to arise and unplanned settlements to grow on the fringes of cities.
In addition, the cities will have to deal with issues like inadequate drainage systems, traffic jams, groundwater depletion, processing of solid waste, etc. Because of the strain on natural resources, the following frequent environmental issues are prevalent in metropolitan areas:
- Not having access to potable water
- contamination of soil, water, and air
- congestion in the traffic
- Insufficient room for dwelling Bad drainage
Types and Trends of Movement:
Within a nation, migration can be divided into three categories:
intra-state, inter-state, and rural-urban.
Migration can also be classified according to its place of origin and destination.
Moving within a state, nation, or continent is known as internal migration.
Relocating to a different state, nation, or continent is known as external migration.
Emigration is the permanent departure from one’s home country.
Immigration is the act of moving into a new place.
Return Migration: returning to one’s place of origin
Seasonal Migration: Moving according to the seasons or in response to labour or weather circumstances is known as seasonal migration.
REASONS FOR MIGRATION :
- Economic Factors:
Push Factors: People are motivated to migrate from their current place of residence due to economic challenges such as poverty, low productivity, and unemployment. For instance, farmers in Maharashtra who are facing low yields due to recurrent droughts may migrate to cities like Pune or Mumbai in search of employment in the construction or service sectors.
Pull factors: On the other hand, people relocate in search of better job prospects, greater money, and a higher standard of living.
For instance, a recent graduate from a Uttar Pradesh village may relocate to Noida or Gurgaon for a software development job because of the higher salary and chance for a better life in the city.
- Socio-cultural variables: Marriage, family reunion, and the desire to live nearer to one’s community or social network are examples of social variables that can have an impact on migration.
Examples include moving out to marry or to flee violence and discrimination based on caste. - Cultural Factors: Individuals may relocate to regions that uphold and preserve their cultural customs, traditions, and beliefs.
A community may move to an area where members of their ethnic or religious group are particularly common to retain their cultural identity.
- Political Factors: People may be compelled to move in quest of safety and security due to political unrest, hostilities, or persecution.
Mapping trends can also be influenced by elements like separatist movements, government policies, and administrative decisions. - Environmental Factors: The loss of resources, housing, and means of subsistence can result in migration, as can natural catastrophes, the effects of climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity.
Consequently, impacted communities might have to relocate in pursuit of security, sustainability, and better living environments.
According to some projections, the effects of climate change could cause a massive movement of approximately 45 million people out of India by the year 2050. - Developmental Factors: Projects like the Ken Betwa River Linking Project and the Narmada Dam Project have led to wide-scale migration,
For instance, more than 40,000 families—mostly indigenous people from the 245 villages dispersed over the three states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra—have been displaced by the Sardar Sarovar Project.
What difficulties do migrants, particularly foreign laborers, face?
People who relocate for job encounter several difficulties, such as
a. Absence of health and social security benefits and inadequate enforcement of the law requiring basic safety requirements.
b. Inability to transport benefits from the state, particularly food distributed via the public distribution system (PDS).
c. Lack of inexpensive housing and essential services in cities.
d. Impact of COVID-19: These migrant labourers worry about food, housing, healthcare, fear of contracting the virus or transmitting it to others, wage loss, family-related worries, anxiety, and terror.
Challenges faced by Migrant Workers
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Economic Challenges
- Low wages and exploitation: unfair labour practices and underpayment.
- Job insecurity: Facing irregular and temporary employment.
- Lack of social security: Limited access to healthcare, pension, and unemployment benefits.
- Debt bondage: Trapped in cycles of debt due to high recruitment fees and other financial burdens.
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Social Challenges
- Isolation and discrimination: Facing prejudice and social exclusion.
- Language barriers: Difficulty communicating in the host community.
- Lack of access to education and healthcare: Limited opportunities for personal development and well-being.
- Family separation: Experiencing emotional distress due to being away from loved ones.
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Legal Challenges
- Irregular migration status: Vulnerable to exploitation and deportation.
- Lack of legal representation: Difficulty accessing legal aid and protection.
- Human trafficking: Falling victim to organized crime networks.
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Environmental Challenges
- Climate change-induced migration: Displaced by natural disasters and environmental degradation.
- Urbanization and overcrowding: Facing challenges in adapting to new living conditions
Government Initiatives :
Numerous initiatives have been put in place by the Indian government to address the welfare of migrants living in the nation. Among the crucial actions are :
a. The Social Security Code offers insurance and provident funds, among other benefits, to migratory workers who are employed beyond state lines.
- One Ration Card, One Nation: The Public Distribution System (PDS) has provided households with greater choice and freedom in selecting which Fair Price Shop (FPS) to purchase their rations from.
- NITI Aayog’s Draft National Policy on Migrant Workers: The proposed national migrant strategy of NITI Aayog emphasizes the value of collective action in assisting migrants in negotiating better terms and adopts a rights-based perspective.
- Remote voting: To enable domestic migrants to cast ballots for their home constituencies from faraway locations, the Election Commission intends to test a Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM).
Relieving measures for building a database of migrant workers during the COVID-19 E-SHRAM Portal. - Food distribution following Pradhan Mantri Kalyan Garib Yojna Ann.
The Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) program was designed to give immigrants access to reasonably priced housing close to their place of employment.
In 116 chosen districts spread over six states, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan (GKRA) offers jobs to returnee migrants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WAY FORWARD :
- Protect labour rights;
- Increase the size of social safety nets;
- Strengthen coordination between states;
- Promote sustainable urban planning;
- Encourage skill development;
- Create Counter-Magnet Cities;
- Strengthen international collaboration
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