Predicament of Informal and Migrant Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in India: Way out and Alternatives for Mitigation

Abstract

This article explores the predicament of the informal and migrant workers during COVID19 pandemic in India in 2020-2021. The article is based on the extensive field surveys carried out by author and also draws on the existing studies on the subject. COVID pandemic exposed the precarious condition of the migrant and informal workers. The situation could have been avoided with proper planning by government and civil society. These workers suffered losses of livelihoods (78%) and incurred debts to meet their needs. Nearly 80% of these workers were unemployed during the lockdown. Although the unemployment reduced by 50% people remained underemployed and getting lesser work and wages. Among the social security schemes, free rations were the source of sustenance. The situation worsened with the coming of natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. There is need for a comprehensive plan to tackle this situation to avoid any repetition of this. This means we have to ensure land, livelihood and social security of these workers. Skill building trainings, encouraging self-employment is absolutely essential. Also we need to facilitate safe migration and ensure workers are safe at their worksites. Lastly, we need to provide special support for the disaster affected states.