Migrant labourers in Kerala

Location of Kerala in India

Concrete pumping for an abutment

പൈൽ നിർമിക്കാൻ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്ന മുക്കാലി

High literacy rates and better education has prompted Keralites to look for higher wages and skilled labour outside India which are sometimes considered more respectable. This has led to a decline in the availability of workforce in Kerala especially in unskilled jobs. According to a 2013 survey by the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, there are over 25 lakh domestic migrant labourers in Kerala from other states of India, as well as from Bangladesh and Nepal^[1] with an annual arrival rate of 2.35 lakhs ie around 630 new migrant workers a day with a sum of Rs 17500 crores going outside the state each year as wages to the migrant workers.^[2] According to official estimates, the expatriate Malayali population earns in excess of Rs. 75,000 crore annually. The number of migrant workers in Kerala is much larger compared to only 16 lakh (1.6 million) keralites working outside India ^[3] In 2013, the number of migrant workers in Kerala was almost one-tenth of that of the local population which was about 33 million in 2011. It is estimated to rise as high as 48 lakhs(4.8 million) by 2023 despite the decline of migration of keralites to other countries for lucrative jobs. Besides, within 10 years, the majority of the local population would have aged above 40 years and this could lead to a further increase of migration from other states.^[4]

Demographics

According to the survey in 2013, the remittances of migrant workers in Kerala to their home states are over Rs. 17,500 crores. To put this in perspective; while the total remittances to Kerala from Keralites abroad, including in the Middle east countries from Apr 2013-Mar2014 were Rs 72,680 crores,the amount of household remittances to Kerala from its citizens abroad during Apr-March 2014 was only Rs 15,129 crores which is lesser than the amount which the migrant labourers in Kerala send to their home states ^[5] Traditionally, the largest number of migrant workers in Kerala used to come from Tamil Nadu^[6] with many tamil colonies existing in Kerala and many of them having been integrated with the locals in Kerala. But the trend in replacement labour seems to have reversed ^[7] as according to the survey in 2013, 75 per cent of the migrant workers come from five states, namely West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. A large number consist of workers from Uttarakhand and Manipur as well. The languages seems to have found ground in Kerala with many shops advertising themselves also in Hindi and instances of local transport buses displaying destination names in Bengali.^[8]

The Migrant workers is a work force consisting almost entirely of single males aged between 18 to 35 years and is highly mobile within Kerala. Whereas 60 per cent of them work in the construction sector, they also work in the hospitality, manufacturing, trade and agriculture sectors. Their skills range from unskilled to skilled carpenters, masons, electricians and the like. The high linguistic , social and cultural differences of Kerala and these other states and the large distance makes it similar to international migration rather than interstate migration.^[9] But ,illegal migrants from the neighbouring country of Bangladesh have also been arrested in many cases where the migrants , come under the pretext of being from West Bengal and as citizens of India. It is estimated that a large number of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants live in Kerala under the pretext of being from West Bengal^[10] and the Kerala police has been finding difficult to identify as they often mingle with migrants from other states and disappear into the crowd.^[11] It is estimated that about 20 million (2 crore) citizens of Bangladesh have crossed into India illegally in the last two decades alone.^[12] and had even led to events like Assam Movement. In Kerala ,this migration happens due to the high wages , quality living conditions but also due to the sizable minority population in the state.^[13] A study conducted in 2013 by Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation for the Kerala government has recommended that the government take steps to improve their housing and living conditions. Registration on arrival is also proposed. The report also suggests that the migrant labourers be brought under the ambit of Rashtriya Swasth Bhima Yojana. The government is possibly taking these steps following the concern about public hygiene and the scare of insurgents and illegal migrants finding their way into the state.Crime rates have also increased which have led to this fear.^[14] In an analysis,out of 38 cases of murder reported in Perumbavoor area in the last 5 years ,32 had links to migrant labourers and such a trend is observed in other parts of the state as well with only a few arrests made as the accused often flee the state.323 cases of crime are registered relating to migrant labour in the Ernakulam rural area alone in the last five years.^[15] Kerala government has been trying to alleviate the fears of the local population in regard to this.There have also been concerns about the working conditions and long working hours of migrant labourers, this issue came to the forefront in regard to the plywood industry in Perumbavoor.^[16] Introduction of health cards were also proposed due to finding diseases in migrant workers which were eradicated by the state and because of the introduction of new diseases and a proposal to screen all the workers is being made under the "Safe Kerala" campaign.^[17]

Wages

The high minimum wages with comparatively better living conditions in Kerala even in the villages are often the motivatng factor for migrant workers from other states as the wages are often double or even more than three times(300%)of the wages obtained in other major cities in India with higher living costs.^[18] For agricultural work like ploughing and tilling, the average daily wage in Kerala was more than Rs 713, followed by Tamil Nadu at Rs 515. The lowest wage being paid in the country was Rs 187. States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha paid wages in the vicinity of Rs 200. The wages for non-agricultural work is also much higher in Kerala. Carpenters and plumbers get wages which are two times the national wage average for their profession. The data shows that while the average wage ranges between Rs 200 and Rs 300 for different professions in states across the country, Kerala does not pay below Rs 600 for any job.^[19] However, Keralite workers are paid even higher amounts and so, most of the times the local residents prefer the migrant workers because of the comparatively cheaper labour. It is interesting to note that even though the wages for labour are high , the cost of living in the state is the same or even lesser than many other parts of the country. On the other hand, however, National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data shows that Kerala has the highest unemployment rate in the country. According to the last NSSO Survey (2011-2012), in the category of major states, Kerala has the highest Unemployment Rate (UR). Kerala’s unemployment level is at 7.4% , while in other states it is below 4%. Even though the rate has declined over the years, a whopping 50 lakh people are estimated to be unemployed in the state. The unemployment rate is lowest in Gujarat, at 0.5 per cent is in Gujarat. However, Gujarat is a low paying state on daily wages. Reading the two reports together, one can infer that while migrant labours are attracted by the daily wages, the natives are not opting for these jobs. Literacy and higher levels of education too has contributed to this.^[20]

Schemes

Kerala currently offers free health care for all the migrant workers ^[21] and is planning legislation to address the migrant labourers issue with the "The Kerala Migrant Workers Social Security Bill".^[22] The first official labour camp will also be opened for workers from the North and North eastern parts of the country in the Palakkad district which would accommodate about 1500 workers and camps will be established in all other districts in the next phase. The department also plans to start kiosks and call centres with people proficient in Hindi as staff to interact and understand the problems of the labourers. Besides this ,the Kerala government is also considering the development of a Skill Development Institute for migrant workers.^[23] It has already established Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction in Kollam city^[24] and new centres of Kerala Academy of Skills Excellence (KASE) will be opened soon in other districts.

References

See also

• Kerala Gulf diaspora