MIGRATE LABOUR IN PUNJAB

MEANING OF LABOUR MIGRATIONHuman migration entails movement of people from one locality or location to another, sometimes over long distances and in large groups. Migration of people occurs for various reasons: exodus during ethnic conflict, natural disaster, political instability, economic hardship as well as search for economic and social improvement, betterment of livelihood and so on

RATIONALEPeople at the senior administration level in State Government view it from their objectives of States Development, Management, Law & Order etc.Local community view this (at times) with doubts/suspicion for their self interest. Migrants are looked more as problems a threat for locals.

PUNJAB STATE OVERVIEWThe state of Punjab is located on the northwestern border of India. Punjab is divided into three regions - Majha, Malwa and Doaba. The administrative set-up comprise of twenty (20) districts and 141 blocks, within which there are 12,673 villages and 134 towns.Punjab has recorded an above average growth rate of 10 percent over the years.The state also has the distinction of being the state with highest per capita income in India (Economic Survey, Govt. of Punjab, 2006-2007)

Punjab is primarily an agricultural state. The state has recorded highest yield per hectare of wheat, rice, cotton and Bajra. The per capita milk and egg production is highest in the countryThe state has in fact, is often referred as granary of India. In 2006-2007, Punjab contributed 75% of wheat and 30% of rice to the central pool of food grains (Economic Survey, 2006-2007, Govt. of Punjab).

STATE ECONOMY

MIGRATION IN PUNJAB

Estimated number of migrant workers(1000) in PunjabSource:-Research study by Faith healthcare private Limited (2009)

Last usual place of residence Rural Punjab Urban Punjab Number Share Number ShareAndhra Pradesh 0.0 0% 0.0 0%Assam 0.0 0% 1.9% 0%Bihar56.9 31%194.634%Chhatisgarh0.00%9.62%Delhi1.11%13.82%Gujarat0.10%1.50%Harayana22.312%26.75%Himachal Pradesh12.87%21.74%Jharkhand12.27%0.20%Madhya Pradesh3.62%2.91%Rajasthan11.56%14.73%UP41.123%264.946%

Ludhiana Important industrial district with large number of migrant labours.

Male migrant workers in Ludhiana,2001Source:-census of India,2001 series B Econimic tables and D Migration tables

Ludhiana(urban)Workers(000)Total workers539.6100.0%Local workers178.233.0%Migrant workers361.467.0%

CAUSES OF MIGRATIONECONOMIC FACTORSDEMOGRAPHIC FACTORSSOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS

ECONOMIC FACTORThe basic economic factors which motivate migration may be further classified as Push Factors and Pull FactorsThe push factors are those that compel a person, due to different reasons, to leave that place and go to some other placeLOW PRODUCTIVITYUNEMPLOYEMENT & UNDERDEVELOPMENTPOOR ECONOMIC CONDITIONSLACK OF OPPURTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENTNATURAL CALAMITIESThe Pull factors refer to those factors which attract the migrants to an area, such as: OPPORTUNITIES FOR BETTER EMPLOYMENT HIGHER WAGES BETTER FACILITIESBETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND AMENITIES

DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORSThe differences in the rates of population increase between the different regions of a nation have been found to be a determinant in the internal migration. SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORSImproved communication facilities, such as, transportation, impact of the television, the cinema, the urban oriented education and resultant change in attitudes and values also promote migration.Social and cultural factors also play an important role in migration.

MIGRATION TO DIFFERENT SECTORS1: INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

2: AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

MIGRATION TO DIFFERENT SECTORS3: SUGAR INDUSTRY

4: BRICK KILNS

MIGRATION TO DIFFERENT SECTORS5: MIGRATION IN CONSTUCTION

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH LOCAL POPULATION BY LABOUR MIGRATION

1. REDUCTION IN WAGE RATE

2. CREATING COMPETITION

3. REDUCTION IN RESOURSES4. UNHYGENIC ENVIRONMENT AND DISEASES CAUSE

5. INCREASE IN AREA POPULATION

6. DRUG ABUSE

8. INCREASE IN CRIME

IMPACT OF MIGRANT LABOUR

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY LOCALSPreference should be given to the local labour first by employers.Again, the Minimum Wage Act should be followed strictly. This way, the locals can not complain about the low wages.Local labour should be given all facilities so that they are motivated to work.4. The migrants should be made to obey the rules in order to maintain clean surroundings. 5. A property act should be introduced in Punjab, so that no out-of-state person can purchase property.6. Since the migrant population is increasingly rapidly, the State Government should put restrictions on the number of family members permitted to migrate.7. Migrants should be given accommodation only after provision of proper identification. It also needs to be done to be able to track migrants in case they are involved in any criminal acts.

CONCLUSIONA general perception of the farmers regarding migration of labour was that it has resulted in increased supply of labour, decreased wage rates and increased social tension, crime, drug menace and cultural invasion. Despite this, Punjab farmers preferred migrant labour due to their timely availability, quality of work and low wages. Some farmers preferred local labourers due to their trust worthiness and adjustment for advance payments. There is a need of government intervention to get the antecedents of migrant labour verified from their respective native states before employment by the Punjab farmers. The Government of Punjab should also maintain a demographic balance by regulating the inflow of migrants.