For the migrant workers Kerala is their Gulf

Introductory Memo: From Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, migrant workers have become an important part of Keralas workforce, filling jobs in sectors ranging from construction, agriculture, plantations and fish processing to hospitality, transport, security and traditional occupations. While many Keralites have migrated to Gulf countries in search of better incomes, workers from West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states have come to Kerala attracted by higher wages and better living conditions. According to the article, studies conducted by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) and the Gulati Institute indicate that migrant workers are present in every district of Kerala, with significant concentrations in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. The article estimates that the state has around 54 lakh migrant workers, who earn considerably more than they would in their home states and send a portion of their earnings back to their families.The article concludes that the state should improve migrant workers welfare and labour protections while encouraging greater participation by Malayalees in the workforce, particularly in preparation for the possible return of expatriates from Gulf countries in the coming years.

Analytical view/ Analysis: While a worker in Murshidabad get a daily salary of Rs 200-400 in Kerala they get Rs 800 to 1000/- So Kerala becomes their Gulf.

From Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, all the sectors in Kerala are not run by native workers. While Keralites have gone to the Gulf in search of more income, workers are pouring in from the north-eastern states, Odisha,Bihar and West Bangal, turning Kerala into the Gulf. Today they dominate all the job sectors in Kerala. From the construction sector to hair cutting, even in Kerala’s traditional restaurants, Keralite food is prepared by these workers. From paddy cultivation and coconut plantation and even to becoming priests in temples, it is only when they come to our notice that the presence of Malayalees in the employment sector in Kerala disappears.

According to a separate study conducted by the Centre for Development Studies and Gulati Institute, there is a presence of out of state workers in every district of Kerala and they dominate the employment sectors. Two to four times the wages and better living conditions are what drive them to Kerala. Those who get a daily wage of Rs 200 to Rs 250 in Murshidabad, Bengal, will get a salary of Rs 800 to Rs 1000 in Kerala. The wages paid in Kerala are at least twice the national average. There are 54 lakh migrant workers in the state. There are eight lakh people each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, four lakh people each in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts and 30 lakh people in the other 10 districts.

Most of these workers are from West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand. According to the CDS report, the highest number of labourers who came to Kerala were from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The workers had come from 24 of Tamil Nadu’s 32 districts. They did housework, gardening, ironing and hotel work. Earlier, people from 17 districts of Karnataka had come to Kerala for work. At present, workers from Tamil Nadu are confined to the border districts of Palakkad, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The workers from Karnataka come only to Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. There are also workers from Karnataka in the fish processing sector in Alappuzha and Ernakulam. According to the latest data, the highest number of workers have come to Kerala from Odisha.

The workers are from 22 districts of Odisha. About 31 per cent of the migrant workers are from Kerala. While 28 per cent goes to Andhra Pradesh, 14 per cent goes to Gujarat and three per cent to Maharashtra. Out of Kerala’s population, between 35 lakh and 40 lakh have gone abroad. On an average, they send between Rs 80,000 crore and Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Kerala every year. At the same time, the report says that migrant workers are paid between Rs 25,000 crore and Rs 35,000 crore as salary. According to the study, each migrant worker in Kerala sends between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 back home. Most of the workers are employed in the construction sector, 40%. 11% each are employed in the plantation sector, apparel sector and fish processing sector. About 10 per cent of the workforce is employed in the hospitality sector, including hotels, four per cent in the transport sector, two per cent in the security sector and nine per cent in other sectors. Only 40% of foreign workers are men. 20% are married and have a family. Families with children make up 15% of the population. About five percent of the population is over the age of 60. 50% of men and 30% of women work in the construction industry, while 30% of men and 30% of women work in factories and testicles. About 10 per cent of the women are homemakers.

The study reports also show the economic status of foreign workers. 60% of the workers live on rent. 40% of the workers are employed. It is alleged that in many places, unhygienic accommodations have been given on rent at low rates. There are also allegations that the Labour Department has conducted inspections efficiently from time to time, but often it is not effective. Criminal cases created by foreign workers are a headache for the Kerala police. Bihar, Assam and West Bengal have the highest number of crimes against women. There are about 2,000 cases of foreign workers. Foreign workers are accused in over 40 murder cases in the Perumbavoor region. There are allegations that Bangladeshis and Pakistan-linked terrorists are making Kerala a safe haven in the name of workers from Bengal. Terrorists from Bangladesh, Bengal and Assam were arrested from Malappuram and Ernakulam. Most of these crimes involve the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation and drug dealing.

Along with the foreign workers, foreign nationals are also coming to Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode cities of Kerala in search of employment. The workers are from Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines and Sri Lanka. For decades, Gurkhas from Nepal have been in many parts of Kerala for security work. The CDS study says that Kerala will be affected by the increase in foreign workers and the leakage of Kerala’s income to other states. Narayan and D.N. Venkateswaran says. If the money had not gone to other states, it would have been spent in Kerala itself or deposited in banks in Kerala. It is indicated that more Malayalees will have to be brought into the workforce as a preparation to face the return from the Gulf that may occur in a few years.

Reference

Kerala State Planning Board https://share.google/iMqqq8Gt8e2cyrjRt

Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment https://share.google/kbw3EEUyjwQrBm89u

Kerala State Planning Board https://share.google/oWU4COthDfjoZvgXG

https://share.google/ZkiNBXXdtm6SWcRAU

ProQuest https://share.google/nyeUfLr57uHaAptQQ

Institute of Development Studies https://share.google/IuW0CPahlv1HIejh4

Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation https://share.google/Tf3FIqlTYTTzChJOF

Labour Commissionerate https://share.google/V0hntBb4sq7XapX1R

https://share.google/U20OadRYnZWAOEfWm

https://share.google/PuU88VWbVULGAvMda

News at a Glance: The work force in Kerala is filled by the workers from North East, West Bangal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand. 54 lakh migrant workers are in Kerala .And they are sending between 25,000 Cr and 35,000 crores.

By the Numbers: There are 54 lakh migrant workers in the state. There are eight lakh people each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, four lakh people each in Kozhikode and Palakkad districts and 30 lakh people in the other 10 districts

Academic Insight: The flow of cash to outside of Kerala in comparison with the foreign remittances. In India the most unemployed youths are inKerala. The relation with unemployment and migrated labor may be studied.

Social Media Pulse: Viral. The ordinary village folks and women are studying Hindi to interact with “Bhais”

On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi

Article by: G K Suresh Babu