Indian Migrants Research Articles

Climate Stress and Migration in India: An Exploratory Study of Environmental Changes on Population Movement

This article delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and human migration in India, highlighting the severe impacts on marginalized communities. Climate change is causing rapid environmental shifts, particularly in regions like Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Maharashtra. These regions are experiencing a range of climate-induced phenomena, such as rising sea levels, desertification, increased frequency of cyclones, floods, and prolonged droughts. The consequent economic and social disruption has forced millions to migrate, often to urban centers where they face further challenges. The article also explores the plight of migrant laborers, especially women, who suffer from precarious working conditions, social discrimination, and exploitation, including trafficking and forced labor. In Kerala, coastal erosion and flooding have displaced entire communities, while Odisha's frequent cyclones and West Bengal's Sundarbans face rising salinity and loss of livelihood, pushing people into distress migration. The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies to address the vulnerabilities of climate migrants, ensuring their rights, livelihoods, and social integration. This paper serves as a crucial resource for understanding the complex dynamics of climate migration in India and the profound socio-economic challenges it entails.

Rightless Migration in India: A Study of Inefficiency and Sufferings Sprouting in the Agricultural Fields of Bihar

The state of Bihar, an agrarian economy, is currently representing a paradoxical situation in India as the development narrative of north and south Bihar displays a unique history of economic advancement. During the Covid-19 pandemic, spurt in migration and even reverse migration created a severe livelihood crisis for the unemployed people in Bihar. United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability can be successful in improving the lives of labourers if the socio-economic protection and workers’ rights are given due importance. The present study aims at explicating the reasons for unemployment, migration and poor economic conditions of labour in Bihar, a state in eastern part of India. Secondary data available from NSSO, Census of India and Economic survey of Bihar have been analysed for this research. The study is based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis and descriptive methods to understand the various socio-economic facets of migration. Absence of uniform labour standards in the unorganised sector related to migrant labourers is the major issue which needs to be immediately and adequately addressed by the Government of India and the state government of Bihar.

Rightless Migration in India: A Study of Inefficiency and Sufferings Sprouting in the Agricultural Fields of Bihar

The state of Bihar, an agrarian economy, is currently representing a paradoxical situation in India as the development narrative of north and south Bihar displays a unique history of economic advancement. During the Covid-19 pandemic, spurt in migration and even reverse migration created a severe livelihood crisis for the unemployed people in Bihar. United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability can be successful in improving the lives of labourers if the socio-economic protection and workers’ rights are given due importance. The present study aims at explicating the reasons for unemployment, migration and poor economic conditions of labour in Bihar, a state in eastern part of India. Secondary data available from NSSO, Census of India and Economic survey of Bihar have been analysed for this research. The study is based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis and descriptive methods to understand the various socio-economic facets of migration. Absence of uniform labour standards in the unorganised sector related to migrant labourers is the major issue which needs to be immediately and adequately addressed by the Government of India and the state government of Bihar.

Involuntary transnationalism and regulated precarity: Lived experiences of skilled Chinese and Indian migrants in Singapore

AbstractTransnationalism is often perceived as an agentic practice in migration studies. While acknowledging such agency, we argue that transnationalism also involves forced‐choice decision‐making by migrants whose work and daily lives are subjected to structural constraints beyond individual control. We employ the concept of ‘involuntary transnationalism’ to capture this often‐neglected dimension of transnationalism. Based on analysis of survey data and in‐depth interviews of skilled Chinese and Indian migrants in Singapore, we find that skilled foreign migrants face employment insecurity and other vulnerabilities largely due to visa regulations and that they have to turn to transnationalism as a coping strategy to mitigate precarity and temporality.

Between dreams and ghosts: Indian migration and Middle Eastern oil

Between dreams and ghosts: Indian migration and Middle Eastern oil

Crisis as inflection point in the urban governance of domestic migration in India: a policy frames analysis

The exodus of millions of domestic migrants from Indian cities during COVID-19 highlighted the failure of urban governance to address their vulnerabilities and reconfirmed that migrant integration is an intractable policy problem, where actors take oppositional and irresolvable positions. Drawing on frame analysis, which outlines agenda-setting aspects of complex policy issues, this paper explores the ideas, perceptions and beliefs of diverse governance actors – politicians, bureaucrats and civil society members – and questions whether the COVID-19 migrant crisis generated new directions in the urban governance of migration. Results show that the COVID-19 crisis generated framing contests around the role of cities in migrant inclusion that shaped new governance agendas regarding improving urban services and welfare delivery. However, owing to a persistent belief in rural sedentarism, COVID-19 failed to act as a tipping point for definitive policy towards improved urban governance of migration. The findings suggest that deeper analysis of policy frames can enrich literature on the governance of domestic migration and encourage theoretical convergences between domestic and international migration.

Predictors of oral healthcare utilization and satisfaction among Indian migrants and the host population in the Netherlands

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore predictors associated with reasons for visiting an oral healthcare professional (OHP) and satisfaction with OHPs in the Netherlands among the Indian migrants and the host population.MethodsA random sample was obtained for this cross-sectional questionnaire study. Variables were classified according to the Andersen Behavioural Model of Health Services Utilization. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors for reasons for visiting an oral healthcare professional (OHP) (routine checkups and preventive care or visiting only for pain and/or treatment) and satisfaction with OHPs (satisfied or dissatisfied).ResultsThe sample consisted of 391 participants (Indian migrants = 147 and host population = 244). Indian migrants with higher internal locus of control (LoC) [OR = 7.73 (95% CI: 2.13;27.99)], more trust in OHPs [OR = 4.12 (95% CI:1.68;10.14)] and higher integration level [OR = 1.09 (95% CI:1.03;1.17)] had higher odds of visiting an OHP for routine checkups and preventive care. In the host population, having dental insurance [OR = 2.64 (95% CI:1.00;6.95)] was significantly associated with increased odds of visiting an OHP for routine checkups and preventive care. For satisfaction, Indians with low paid jobs [OR = 16.26 (95% CI:2.83;93.36)] and those with higher integration levels [OR = 1.29 (95% CI:1.16;1.42)] had higher odds of being satisfied with the Dutch OHPs. Among the host population, those with more trust in OHPs [OR = 2.86 (95% CI:1.19;6.88)] had higher odds of being satisfied.ConclusionOur study emphasize that integration levels and trust emerged as two crucial factors, policy makers can leverage upon to improve access to care for Indian migrants.Clinical trialN.A as this is a survey based cross sectional study.

NEGOTIATING HIERARCHY: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES IN HEALTHCARE

Although English is widely regarded as the medium of communication in India's hospitality and tourism sectors, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has been largely overlooked in academic or occupational spaces. Despite facing an unprecedented shortage of healthcare workers following a new wave of mass migration, India is one of the top favored destinations for medical tourism worldwide. The present paper aims to critically explore and comprehensively understand the linguistic needs of nurses in the state of Kerala, India. Additionally, the paper investigates the impact of India's migration patterns on the use and changing perception of English in healthcare settings. It considers how these factors influence the role of language within the medical context and the lives of nurses. Critical analyses reveal the prevalence of generalized language training and inconsistencies in the perception of needs between two levels of stakeholders. This qualitative inquiry magnifies the transformative potency of the English language in conferring agency upon the marginalized nursing demographics within the Indian healthcare milieu. As such, it staunchly champions the imperative formulation and execution of a meticulously customized ESP program, serving as an instrumental catalyst for engendering empowerment and emancipation.

Trafficked or Married? Unpacking Dispossession of Matrimonial Choice in Cross-Region Marriage Migration in India.

The article, based on original research from 246 villages, discusses contemporary marriage migrations of poor women from India's development peripheries to rural North Indian men. Anti-trafficking activists and organizations in India assert that migrant brides are trafficked into sexual slavery through 'coerced' alliances. Employing a postcolonial feminist lens, this article challenges hegemonic anti-trafficking discourse with its gendered presumptions about widespread 'bride-trafficking' by showing that the processes of cross-region marriage mediation and motives are replete with contradictions and ambiguities. Fieldwork reveals a range of actors, including the migrant brides, involved in marriage mediation while poverty and heightened dowry compromise women into such matrimonies.

On the up and up: the job mobility of skilled return migrants

Abstract This paper examines the labor market incorporation of skilled Indian migrants returning home after working in the United States. I analyze a novel dataset of 7,177 time-varying transnational employment histories from LinkedIn using logistic regression and survival analysis. I find that skilled Indian migrants experience occupational upgrades when re-entering their home labor market, buoyed by foreign human capital and compensating for US legal status restrictions. While immigrants often face initial occupational downgrades and job mobility constraints in foreign labor markets, return migrants experience stability, promotions and accelerated rates of job mobility at home. The paper contributes to the literature on return migration, a significant but understudied dimension of international migration due to data constraints. I offer LinkedIn employment histories as digital data source to address these limitations and leverage their rich spatio-temporal information. These data help expand prior research on return migrant wages to broader questions about transnational migrant career trajectories. The findings shed light into where high-demand migrants might maximize their career growth, and have implications for understanding the policies shaping the recruitment and retention of skilled workers in the global labor market.

The 1847 de Salis Experiment and Chinese Indentured Labour in Colonial Australia

In 1847 a pastoralist in southern New South Wales experimented with the use of indentured Chinese labourers. This article reveals the identity of this pastoralist to be Leopold Fane de Salis and examines his use of indentured Chinese labourers in his employ in the late 1840s and early 1850s. We argue that de Salis’ initial sourcing of Chinese labour illuminates the importance of local experimentation and transnational colonial trading networks in the iterative development of those larger indentured migration schemes which soon followed. Further, we interrogate the public representation of this experiment by analysing the experience of Chinese labourers as revealed through de Salis’ station ledgers.

Examining the Impact of Socio-economic, Demographic and Policy Factors on Reverse Migration in India During COVID-19 Pandemic

This article examines the factors that determined ‘reverse migration’ of households from urban locations in India in the aftermath of a series of lockdowns that followed the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Positioning reverse migration as a coping strategy to ameliorate negative consequences of loss of livelihood, food shortages and loss of shelter in urban India, this article examines the factors that led to the utilization of this strategy in the aftermath of lockdown during the pandemic outbreak. The article also tests whether returning to hinterland persisted after the period of lockdowns. The lockdowns had exacerbated living conditions for urban poor. Migration to rural areas continued despite various policies and programmes that the national and state governments instituted to counter the negative impact of lockdowns, particularly on low-income households. Examining the socio-economic, demographic and policy factors, this article provides evidence that family support and rural social institutions such as self-help groups played a crucial role in providing support system during pandemic even to those who migrated back from urban areas. Government programmes such as Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and access to public distribution system were also important for reverse migrants. An important result is that the first wave of reverse migration was due to family and emotional reasons that arose because of lockdowns, the second wave of migration was for economic reasons as households continued to struggle in urban areas, and the migration during the third wave was a usual seasonal migration.

Untouchability-Induced Migration in India: Exploring the Trajectory of Scheduled Caste Migrants

This study explores the association between the untouchability experiences in households and the migration status of India’s Scheduled Caste community. Utilizing descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression models, this study analyses migration determinants that are induced by untouchability. The findings indicate that households experiencing untouchability are twice as likely to migrate (uOR = 2.03, CI = 1.71–2.42). Even after adjusting for socio-economic and regional factors in the regression model, the higher odds persist at 1.5 times higher (aOR = 1.51, CI = 1.15–1.98). Uttar Pradesh (21.94%), Rajasthan (12.61%) and Madhya Pradesh (9.81%) exhibit the highest untouchability rates. Madhya Pradesh (33.65%) records the highest migration rate due to untouchability, followed by Rajasthan (18.01%), Uttar Pradesh (9%) and Bihar (9%). This study underscores a noteworthy disparity in migration patterns between those experiencing untouchability and those who do not. Addressing untouchability is essential for mitigating its profound effects on migration, socio-economic mobility and community dynamics, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.

The revenge of history: Indian indenture and its afterlife in South Africa

ABSTRACT The aftermath of the 150th anniversary in 2010 of the arrival of the first indentured migrants in Natal saw an explosion of family and community histories. While some academic historians question the credibility of such histories, carefully sifted and cross-referenced, they can provide a wealth of new information, allowing for deeper insights into indentured migration and Indian settlement in South Africa. Family histories help in building intergenerational histories that go beyond indenture. This expansion of the historical archive provides a fuller story of Indians who, for a large part of their existence, were written out of the history books or written in as a festering sore to be lanced from the South African body politic through mass repatriation. While digging deeper into individual family histories, the story is situated within the broader context of racist exclusion, showing how these boundaries were reinforced as much as they were challenged and trespassed.

There and back again: dynamics of temporary labor migration, insights from rural India.

Temporary labor migration is a household phenomenon among rural communities in India. This study seeks to understand the subjective experiences influencing the temporariness of labor migration among internal migrants in India by examining various factors such as migration conditions, motivation, migration arrangements, coping and adaptation strategies, and determinants of stay. To achieve this objective, the current qualitative study utilized 14 in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions to investigate the temporary nature of labor migration among internal migrants in India. Our findings reveal that migration decisions are rational choices made collectively at the household level, considering socio-economic outcomes. We also find that social networks and contractors facilitate migration arrangements and job connections, and migrants employ various strategies to reduce costs and cope with expenses in urban areas. However, migration destinations often fail to meet migrants' expectations, exposing them to low-wage employment and precarious working and living conditions, which are detrimental to their health. Limited housing and sanitation facilities further contribute to the challenges faced by migrants. Work conditions, including poor wages and high job demands, also affect their well-being. These findings highlight the need for improved support systems that address accommodation challenges, work conditions, and the overall welfare of labor migrants.

Does local non-farm income moderate the intensity of climate change induced migration in India?

While the impact of climate change on migration is well documented in the literature, very little is known about the moderating impact of local non-farm income on climate change induced migration. To fill this gap in the literature, the paper combines real time weather data provided by Indian Meteorological Department with a very rich household data on Indian states belonging to the eastern and semi-arid tropic regions collected by ICRISAT to investigate whether farmers always resort to migration or take it up as a second-best option only after they fail to diversify locally on the face of climate change induced crop loss. Using recursive econometric model, it is observed that households first try to diversify their income by engaging in local non-farm activities and availability of local non-farm income further moderates the effect of climate change induced yield loss on migration. Higher rural out migration may adversely impact the agricultural sector and affect sustainable urbanization, Also, decision to migrate is often challenging as it necessitates leaving behind social and community networks. Therefore, our findings offer valuable insights and discusses important policy recommendations towards improving the access to local non-farm activities.

CHILD MIGRATION TRENDS IN INDIA: INSIGHTS FROM NATIONAL DATASETS

The child migration in India is a complex socio-economic phenomenon profoundly impacting childrens well-being and development. This paper analyzes trends and vulnerabilities among child migrants using national datasets, focusing on education, health, and socio-economic disparities.The study identifies a significant increase in internal migration, predominantly rural, driven by familial and economic factors. Gender disparities show higher migration rates among boys, influenced by socio-cultural norms and economic incentives. The regional disparities highlight Goa, Kerala, and Maharashtra as key migration hubs, shaped by economic opportunities and cultural dynamics. Despite higher literacy rates, migrant children face challenges like early employment and educational disruptions. Health outcomes vary, with improved nutrition but lower immunization coverage compared to non-migrant peers.Child marriage rates among migrant girls underscore socio-economic inequities. Vulnerability analysis reveals risks among economically disadvantaged and rural migrants, necessitating targeted policy interventions. The policy recommendations stress legal enforcement against child marriage and robust implementation of education and child labor laws. Collaborative efforts involving government, NGOs, and communities are crucial to address the needs of child migrants, especially from marginalized groups.This research paper informs inclusive policies to protect child migrants rights and opportunities, aiming for a more equitable societal framework.

The COVID-19-Led Reverse Migration and Labour Supply in Rural Economy: Challenges, Opportunities and Road Ahead in Chhattisgarh

Migration is an integral part of the Indian economy and constitutes a significant share in the GDP of the country. But the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a devastating shock resulting in huge reverse migration in India as well as in its respective states. In this context the present study tries to investigate labour supply and employment opportunity in rural areas of Chhattisgarh due to COVID-19-led reverse migration and also examines the gender specific impacts of COVID-19 on reverse migrants in Chhattisgarh. The study also suggests the possible measures to rebuild the Chhattisgarh’s rural economy after COVID-19. Thus, the study inculcates both secondary and primary data. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis are computed to get the results. The study found that there is a sudden rise in labour supply in the rural economy of Chhattisgarh. Job loss is the biggest problem faced by migrants followed by loss in income. The study also found that there is no significant impact of reverse migration due to Covid-19 between both the gender in rural Chhattisgarh. Thus, on the basis of primary survey and focused group discussions the study concludes that the returned migrants would surely get back to their normal lives and would gradually afford the better standard of living to themselves as well as to their families. A comprehensive overview of the economic, health and gendered implications of the Covid-19 pandemic reveals the need for a more proactive and on-the-ground strategy to combat the post -crisis scenario in the rural economy of Chhattisgarh. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic have reinforced the need for and the importance of compiling data of migrants. Such a database helps in effective administration of various government interventions. However, there is also an urgent call for the proactive actions to be undertaken to retain these reverse migrants in their original source, so that they would contribute towards the development of their own state.

Migration: Concept, Factors, Impacts and Migration in India

Migration is the term used to describe the movement of people from one location to another, usually entailing a change of habitation. This movement can occur between nations (international migration) or within a nation (internal migration). A summary of the idea, contributing causes, effects, and Indian context is provided here. Numerous political, social, economic, and environmental elements all have an impact on the complicated issue of migration. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including the pursuit of better economic opportunities, avoidance violence or harassment, reuniting with family, or responding to environmental triggers like natural catastrophes or climate change. It can also be forced or voluntary, temporary or permanent. In summary, migration is a complex issue that affects people on an individual, societal, and economic level. To effectively manage and exploit migration's possible benefits while reducing its obstacles, policy must take into account the variables that force migration and its effects. India's tendencies in international migration have changed significantly throughout time, motivated by social dynamics, political reasons, and economic opportunities. All things considered, migration from India abroad is a complicated phenomenon that is impacted by domestic ties, global mobility patterns, educational goals, and economic prospects. Migration trends and reasons from India change in tandem with the global environment.

Social support and economic conditions among older migrants in India: do distance, duration, and streams of migration play a role in later life?

BackgroundBeing older and having a migrant feature might cause a double risk of vulnerability in poor economic, social support, and health status at the place of destination. This study examines the association of migration on the social support and economic condition of older persons in India.MethodsLongitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave-I (2017–2018) data with total samples of 66,156 older adults aged 45 + with 30,869 and 35,287 male and female samples, respectively, used in this study. Descriptive and bivariate analyses have been performed to examine the pattern of older migrants, and multinomial logistic regression analysis has been used to establish the associations between migration, social support, and economic condition.ResultsOver half (57.5%) of the population aged 45 + in India had migrant characteristics; 80% migrated before 25 years. Of all migrants, about 90% migrated within one state (Intrastate), and 9% migrated to another (Interstate). The association between social support and migration by distance and the adjusted result showed that immigrants were less likely to have medium [RRR = 0.56 (CI; 0.46–0.68)] and high [RRR = 0.39 (CI; 0.30–0.50)] social support. The interstate migrants were also less likely to have high [RRR = 0.90 (CI; 0.83–0.98)] social support. The migrants with 0–9 years of duration were less likely to have high social support, and the urban to rural stream migrants were more likely to have high social support. The association between economic status and migration by distance and the adjusted result showed that more affluent immigrants were likelier to have [RRR = 1.41 (CI; 1.14–1.73)] better economic conditions than affluent non-migrants. Migrants with 0–9-year duration and urban to rural stream were found to be likelier to have better economic conditions.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that distance, duration, and migration stream have a significant association with social support and economic conditions in later life. In exploring migration’s effect on social and economic status, policymakers should prioritize migrants in their agenda to maintain socio-economic and social support for older persons in India to achieve the sustainable goal of active and healthy ageing.