TITLE:
“When
Families Migrate”- A study on the quality of life and socio economic
well being of the Tamil migrant unorganized women construction workers in Kochi
corporation, Kerala.”
Introduction to
the Concept of migration
Migration can be described as a
phenomenon, and as a process. As per census 2001,
314.54 million persons moved for various reasons within the country. Out of
these, 29.90 million migrated for reasons of employment (Moorthi, 1999). The large flow of people from one state
to other state is largely found in Kerala. In many cases the migrant people are
ill treated in the places they migrate to. The main purpose of their movement
is to get some kind of employment. There are a number of theories associated
with the concept of migration, such as, Push-Pull
theory proposed by Ernest Ravenstein (1889) point out the factors favours
migration. Everett Lee (1966), outlined
the impact that intervening obstacles have on the migration process. Lee
says that, personal factors such as a person's education, knowledge of a
potential receiver population, family ties, and the like can facilitate or
retard migration. The sociological theories of migration views that, the
phenomena of migration is not limited to a single person only. But, migration
of an individual, especially male, is often accompanied or followed by the
migration of the whole family. It will
be leading to the increase in population, for which the cities are often not
prepared to. This may further result in
habitat related issues like slums.
Migration, Kerala scenario
Kerala
is witnessing large
inflow of migrant
labour from different
parts of the
country in the recent
years. Though labourers from states as
far as West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh and Orissa now flow to
Kerala, those from Tamil Nadu out
number others by a big margin. The
following table will explain the distribution of migrant people in the
districts of Kerala.
Table no: 1
Distribution of Migrants from
Other States/UTs in the Districts of Kerala
District
|
No. of immigrants
|
Share of immigrant
|
Ernakulam
|
55977
|
13.56
|
Idukki
|
53056
|
12.85
|
Thiruvananthapuram
|
48575
|
11.77
|
Palakkad
|
47955
|
11.62
|
Kasargod
|
31884
|
7.72
|
Kannur
|
28115
|
6.81
|
Thrissur
|
25358
|
6.14
|
Kozhikode
|
23118
|
5.60
|
Malappuram
|
22092
|
5.35
|
Wayanad
|
18710
|
4.53
|
Kollam
|
16797
|
4.07
|
Kottayam
|
16349
|
3.96
|
Pathanamthitta
|
13683
|
3.31
|
Aleppey
|
11180
|
2.71
|
Total
|
412849
|
100.00
|
Source: compiled from Census of India 2001- D Series.
Within the state, Ernakulam district accounts for the largest number of
migrants (census 2001). It is because of the diverse employment opportunities
available for the people, for example, major construction projects take place
in the major hubs of Ernakulam district. While
a relatively small section of the migrants from other
states are professionals and skilled workers, large majority of them are
unskilled or semi skilled
workers engaged in
construction, road works,
pipe laying etc. Of late
the migrants have
also entered agriculture,
labour intensive sub
sectors of industry and many
services. The shortage of local labour,
higher wages for unskilled labour in the
state and opportunities for employment have led
to the massive influx of migrant labour to the state.
It is interesting to note that while many Malayalees migrate to the
‘Gulf’ countries (Middle East ) both for
skilled and unskilled work, many of the unskilled laborers from other parts of
the country consider Kerala as their ‘Gulf’.
With signs of rapid growth of state’s economy and the increase in
activities particularly in the infrastructure and construction sectors, the
in-migration is expected to grow faster in the coming years.
The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment &
Conditions of Service) Act, 1979: An act which is supposed to support the
migrant workers
Right to move anywhere and right to work is a fundamental right of
the citizen of India. But many a time the migrant workers are ill-treated. The
humanitarian concerns may be missed. A number of such incidents were reported
in the media. In order to safeguard the rights of the Migrant workers, an act
was formulated in the year 1979. Which is known as The Inter-State Migrant Workmen
(Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. The
Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of
Service) Act, 1979 lays down that no contractor shall recruit any person in the
State for the purpose of employing him in any establishment situated in another
State except and in accordance with a license issued on that behalf. As per the
provisions of the Act, the principal employers are registered and contractors
are given license indicating the number of workmen. There is no provision for
registering individual workman.
Migration is one of the prominent phenomena of social life that we
all witness today. As Huntington
Ellsworth (1919) said; “History in its broadest aspect is a record of man's
migrations from one environment to another”. Nowadays the concept of mobility is very much associated with the
concept of employment. People from different parts of India migrate to Kerala
for the sake of employment. The Government of India guarantees that all the
citizens of India can go anywhere in India and they can do any work as they
like. So it is a fundamental right of the Indian citizen to travel to and
settle down anywhere in the country. However this right is being challenged
today. The natives tend to exploits the migrant workers. The migrant workers
are asked to work in the unsafe work situations without adequate or any
protection, and on a lower wage.
The present study
titled “A study on the quality of life and
socio - economic well being of the migrant unorganized Tamil women construction
workers with special reference to Kochi Corporation” focuses
mainly on the
quality of life and socio economic wellbeing of the Tamil migrant women construction
workers.
Why Tamil migrant workers in this
study?
In Kerala, 67.5% of the
migrants’ people are from the neighboring
state, Tamil Nadu. The census Table also indicates that 49.1 per
cent of the migrants from other states are female migrants (Census Report, 2001). The following table shows the number of
Migrants people from other states and union territories in Ernakulam district.
Table no: 2
Migrants (by
Place of Birth) from other States/UTs in Ernakulam District
State
|
Persons
|
Share of immigrants
|
Tamil
Nadu
|
33,146
|
59.21
|
Maharashtra
|
4,120
|
7.36
|
Karnataka
|
3,456
|
6.17
|
Uttar
Pradesh
|
2,349
|
4.20
|
Andhra
Pradesh
|
2,286
|
4.08
|
Bihar
|
1,193
|
2.13
|
West
Bengal
|
1,116
|
1.99
|
Orissa
|
1,097
|
1.96
|
Rajasthan
|
1,026
|
1.83
|
Gujarat
|
934
|
1.67
|
Haryana
|
843
|
1.51
|
Delhi
|
755
|
1.35
|
Punjab
|
600
|
1.07
|
Other
states and UTs
|
3056
|
5.46
|
Total
|
55,977
|
100.00
|
Source: compiled from Census of India
2001- D Series.
Women migrant workers
The present study deals the concept of “feminization of migration”.
The theories on female migration say that, females are ‘passive reactors’
migrating just for ‘family reasons’. Because of the gender based discrimination
in a developing country like India, the women are the real victims of poverty. So
in order to meet the basic needs of the family the migrant women need to go for
the work, usually the unskilled works. The studies by the NGOs reveal that, the
condition of women workers is more miserable than that of men. They suffer much
physical harassment in their work site and are asked to work for more than 8
hours. The basic amenities like toilet facilities are not available to them.
They don’t have suitable accommodation facilities. They don’t have adequate
facilities in the work place. They lack leisure time also. In this condition
their quality of life and wellbeing constantly threatened. The problems of the
women worker definitely reflect on their family life also. So the problems of
the women worker need to be explored. It is hoped that the findings will help
in initiating policy measures to address the issues in question, and to reform
the existing ones, as far as the welfare of migrant population, especially
women, is concerned.
Methodology
The objectives of the study were to understand the gaps
between Interstate Migrant Labour act
1979 and its implementation, with respect to this group and to assess the quality of life of the
migrant women workers on the basis of welfare measures available and
accessible for them. Random sampling method was employed to select the sample. The
respondents were selected randomly from some of the major centers in the city
of Kochi where the migrant workers wait for the employers. The sample size of the study was seventy. The tools of data
collection were interview schedule and
the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life measuring scale. The latter was
used to assess the quality of life of the migrant women workers.
Major findings of the study
The study brought out a
number of findings. Some of the major findings are as follows:-
·
Mostly
younger women are engaged in the construction work
·
50%
of the respondents have been staying in Kochi for more than 3 years and 28.6%
of the respondents in Kochi more than 5 years. This is an indicator of the
increase in the volume of migration. The city authorities have to pay attention
to this factor.
·
54.3%
of the respondents have a liability of more than 
5000. It extending up to 2 lakh.
5000. It extending up to 2 lakh.
Table no 3
Reason for migration
No
|
Reasons
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
1
|
Low wage in
village
|
6
|
8.6
|
2
|
Lack of job in
village
|
9
|
12.4
|
3
|
Drought in
village
|
5
|
7.1
|
4
|
Spouse migration
|
27
|
38.6
|
5
|
Family problems
|
23
|
32.9
|
Total
|
70
|
100.0
|
·
The
migration of the husband was the main reason behind the migration of women.
This study reveals that majority of the respondents migrated to Kerala because
of husband’s migration. Family problem was the reason behind the migration of
32.3% of respondents. It is a kind of push factor for the migration as per the
Push and Pull theory.
·
It
is mandatory that every migrant worker should have a pass book attached with photos.
In this study it was found that, none of the respondents have the pass book as
per the Interstate Migrant Labour Act 1979. The passbook is a part of welfare
measure for the migrant labours, the lack of this authorized passbook may
affect the rights of the migrant workers.
- It was found that none
of the respondents is aware of the Interstate Migrant Labour Act, 1979 and
its provisions and welfare measures for the migrant workers.
·
As
per the Interstate Migrant Labour Act, 1979 there should be adequate basic
amenities including toilet facility in the dwelling of the migrant labourers. According
to the respondents, the basic amenities like accommodation facility and toilet
facility were not satisfactory.
· According
to the respondents, the attractive thing in Kochi
Table No: 4
Availability
of safety equipments
No
|
Availability
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
1
|
Yes
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
No
|
70
|
100
|
Total
|
70
|
100
|
- According to the
Interstate Migrant Labour Act, 1979, it is mandatory that safety
equipments should be provided to the workers like, shoes, helmets, etc.
But the study shows that in the construction sites, the safety equipments
are not available to the women workers.
·
According
to the Interstate Migrant Labour Act, 1979, equal wage should be provided to
the male and female employee for the equal work. But the study found that, the
women employees are less paid compared to the male workers for the same work.
·
The
study reveals that, migration of the parents is one of the major reasons for
the dropout of the children of migrated parents.
·
In this study it was found that, majority of the respondents have
low level of communication and contact with their rest of the family members
and relatives in the home village. Migration leads to the breaking up of family
ties.
·
The study also shows that, in a year most of the time the migrant
workers stay in Kerala.
Table
No: 5
Environmental factors
No
|
Level
of satisfaction
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
1
|
Satisfied with the condition of physical
environment
|
31
|
44.3
|
2
|
Very much dissatisfied with the physical environment
|
39
|
55.7
|
Total
|
70
|
100.0
|
·
In
determining a person’s quality of life the environment has an important role.
In this study it was found that, 55.7% of the respondents were very
dissatisfied with their external environment condition.The main aim
of the migrant people was to get job; but in this study, it is found that,
62.9% of the respondents face the problem of lack of employment. 14.3% of
the respondents’ problem is lack of information about the services and
their accessibility. 14.3% of them are having language barriers. The
figure given below shows the problems of migrant workers in Kochi.
Areas
where the interventions are needed
From the
study, the researcher identified and came to know about several issues
concerning importance. The interventions of the Government as well as social
workers are needed in the following areas. Further studies are also possible on
these issues. The issues to be addressed by policy planners are as follows.
·
Safety
of the autonomous female migrants.
·
The
rate of trafficking as per they are considered.
·
The dropout of
children due to the migration of their parents and the increase in child labour.
·
Have
they benefited in terms of economic aspects and welfare aspects.
·
Would
they prefer to go back if employment opportunities cease to exist in the host
state or city?
·
In
the case of associational migrants, are they overburdened with work in the
absence of traditional kith and kin support systems in the destination area?
·
How
do they perceive their new role- empowering or disempowering?
·
What
happens to the elderly especially the female elderly who are left behind in the
village of origin in majority of the above cases?
·
Whether our
cities are rich enough to accommodate the migrant people?
·
Do
these migrant women have control over their earnings?
Suggestions
- The
labour department has to make a registration of migrant worker compulsory.
- The
corporation has to provide basic amenities like, toilet, water facility
etc to the residential areas of the migrant workers.
- The
SHGs can play an important role in developing saving habit among migrant
workers. This can address the economic problems of the migrant women workers
by encouraging their saving habit.
- As
housing is the major problem for the migrant women, housing colonies
should be constructed by the government and supplied at concessional rates
to the migrant households.
- As
majority of the respondents are illiterate, voluntary organizations
particularly women’s associations should come forward and help these women
to form an association for themselves and train women for leadership
roles.
- The volume and diversity
of the migrant population has to be taken into account in urban planning
and implementation of programmes and projects like the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban
Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Programme and Kerala Sustainable Urban
Development Programme (KSUDP).
- Non
formal education with emphasis on skill development should be given
importance.
- Schools
should encourage the enrolment of children of migrant women.
- Adequate
measures should be taken by school authorities to check drop- outs among
children of migrant households.
- Night
shelters can be open in different parts of the cities for the migrant
people, especially the migrant women workers.
- The labour department
can conduct surveys to understand about the various problems of the
migrant women workers.
Conclusion
The
present study mainly aims at studying the socio-economic wellbeing and the
quality of life of the Tamil migrant women construction workers. The study also
aimed to understand their various problems and needs. There are many programmes
and policies to protect the right of the migrant workers, like the Interstate
Migrant Labour Act, 1979, but the fact is that none of these government
policies is able to protect their rights or ensure their wellbeing. The
government initiated several employment schemes like MGNREGS, but the migration
increases very largely (planning commission, 2001). The process of migration
affects all the aspects of the migrant’s life. In the major centers of Kochi
Unlike in earlier years where male selective migration was
predominant, the latest trend is one of family migration where both the male
and female migrate, irrespective of the fact whether female employment
opportunity is reckoned or not at the time of making such a move. But women’s
labour force participation after migration steeply increases. In view of rising
urban-ward migration and increased labour force participation of women after
migration, questions related to sanitation, water, housing, educational and
infrastructural needs require greater attention at the level of policy planning
and implementation. Micro level case studies are warranted to understand the
details involved in female migration.
The
policy makers need to consider the problems of the female migrant workers in
Kerala and the local self government can initiate several programmes for their
welfare. The aim of such programmes should focus on reducing the lag between
the actual life situation of the migrant workers and the welfare measures
instituted under the Interstate Migrant Labour Act. This would contribute to a
safer, secure and a healthy environment for migrant labourers in the state of
Kerala. A rights based approach is essential for addressing the diverse
problems of the migrant workers. This would help to ensure the quality of life
and socio- economic wellbeing of this section of unorganized workers in Kerala.
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http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/resources/english/etext-project/history/redman/index.htm
dated
13.06.2009
[1]
Mr. Jobi Babu
MSW is a professionally trained social
worker and at present he is a PhD research scholar in Gandhigram Rural
Institute, Tamil Nadu
[2]
J. Prasant
Palakkappillil CMI PhD, who holds doctorate in Social
Work and a social activist in the area of social development. At present he is
the Principal of Sacred Heart College Thevara, Cochin
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