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Destinations Matter: Social Policy and Migrant Workers in the Times of Covid

Author

Listed:
  • Nitya Rao

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Nivedita Narain

    (Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)
    Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (An Alliance Between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries))

  • Shuvajit Chakraborty

    (Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN))

  • Arundhita Bhanjdeo

    (Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)
    Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (An Alliance Between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries))

  • Ayesha Pattnaik

    (Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN))

Abstract

The national lockdown of India announced on March 24th 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, left millions of migrant labourers stranded in their destinations. Thrown out of their informal labour arrangements in cities and industrial centres, unable to return to their villages in the absence of transportation, they were stranded for over a month with no income, improper housing and often lack of food. This paper discusses the experiences of men migrating from Chakai block, Jamui district, Bihar, to four Indian states, namely, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. We compare their experiences across these four destination states in relation to the social policy response following the national lockdown. Most workers are young men (16–35 years old) and their migration pattern is seasonal and circular. The emerging lessons provide inputs for social policy measures related to migrant workers in India.

Suggested Citation

  • Nitya Rao & Nivedita Narain & Shuvajit Chakraborty & Arundhita Bhanjdeo & Ayesha Pattnaik, 2020. "Destinations Matter: Social Policy and Migrant Workers in the Times of Covid," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1639-1661, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:32:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00326-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00326-4
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    Cited by:

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    2. Saturnino M. Borras & Jennifer C. Franco & Doi Ra & Tom Kramer & Mi Kamoon & Phwe Phyu & Khu Khu Ju & Pietje Vervest & Mary Oo & Kyar Yin Shell & Thu Maung Soe & Ze Dau & Mi Phyu & Mi Saryar Poine & M, 2022. "Rurally rooted cross-border migrant workers from Myanmar, Covid-19, and agrarian movements," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 315-338, March.
    3. Spencer Henson & Uma Kambhampati & Tewodaj Mogues & Wendy Olsen & Martin Prowse & Raul Ramos & John Rand & Rasjah Rasiah & Keetie Roelen & Rebecca Tiessen & O. Fiona Yap, 2020. "The Development Impacts of COVID-19 at Home and Abroad: Politics and Implications of Government Action," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1339-1352, December.
    4. Himangshu Kumar & Manikantha Nataraj & Srikanta Kundu, 2022. "COVID-19 and Federalism in India: Capturing the Effects of State and Central Responses on Mobility," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(5), pages 2463-2492, October.
    5. Mishal Alice Mathews & Geert De Neve & Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, 2023. "Dimensions of wellbeing and recognitional justice of migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Kerala, India," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Sinha, Shreya & Narain, Nivedita & Bhanjdeo, Arundhita, 2022. "Building back better? Resilience as wellbeing for rural migrant households in Bihar, India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).

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