CIRCULAR MIGRATION: LOOKING AT BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE

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REFERENCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 1: SOCIETY: POPULATION RELATED ISSUES; SIGNIFICANCE OF MIGRATION, CHALLENGES TO MIGRATION

CONTEXT: With rapid industrialisation, there has been a huge flow of migrants from rural areas to urban cities. In India, internal migration, which is migration within a particular country or State, has almost always been circular.

WHAT IS CIRCULAR MIGRATION?

• • Circular migration is a repetitive form of migration wherein people move to another place i.e the destination country and back i.e country of origin according to the availability of employment.
  • This effectively means that instead of migrating permanently or temporarily to another location, people move to different locations for a brief period of time when work is available.
  • It is a phenomenon mostly seen among low-income groups who migrate to avail of seasonally available jobs in another country, city, place etc.
  • As per the report on measuring circular migration by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Task Force, one is called a circular migrant if one have completed at least ‘two loops’ between two countries. This means one have travelled between your destination and origin country at least two times.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CIRCULAR MIGRATION

According to Philippe Fargues, migration can be defined as circular if it meets the following criteria:

1. 1. 1. There is a temporary residence in the destination location
      2. There is the possibility of multiple entries into the destination country
      3. There is freedom of movement between the country of origin and the country of destination during the period of residence
      4. There is a legal right to stay in the destination country
      5. There is protection of migrants’ rights
      6. There is a healthy demand for temporary labour in the destination country.

CIRCULAR MIGRATION WITHIN INDIA

• • In India, internal migration, which is migration within a particular country or State, has almost always been circular with the advent of jobs in the manufacturing, construction and services sector.
  • However, only recently has the phenomenon been given its due as the seasonal movement of migrants was not properly documented or was boxed along with short-term or temporary migration.
  • In India, the uneven development post-liberalisation, has led to a lot of inter-State migration, with States like West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar having some of the highest rates of out-migration. Initially, while most of the migration was to Delhi, nowadays it has increased to southern States as well.
  • According to a study, most of the rural migrants were occupied in agricultural jobs in their origin States and when they migrated a majority of them were engaged in low-skill jobs.

REASONS BEHIND CIRCULAR MIGRATION

• • Advent of globalization: Circular migration became quite popular in the 60s and 70s with the advent of globalisation and development.
  • Access to modern communication: Increased access to modern forms of transport and communication, social networks and the growth of multinational corporations have aided the advent of circular migration.

POSITIVES OF CIRCULAR MIGRATION

• • Balancing act: Circular migration is now seen as the best way forward, as needs of development and individual economic advancement can be balanced out. It is also seen as a balanced migration method which looks at migration not only from the point of view of the receiving country but also of the sending nation.

1. 1. 1. For the country of origin, migration, especially international migration, is beneficial due to the flow of remittances which will boost and aid the domestic economy. The flow of foreign capital will enhance the economy ensuring more infrastructure, more jobs and by association, a better standard of living.
      2. From the perspective of the host countries, especially those of the West, a lesser population and a higher access to education has resulted in a large dearth of low-income low-skill jobs which migrants have been able to fill.

• • Rises standard of living: The positive outcomes of such migration rises standards of living of migrants which include increased access to higher paying jobs when compared to origin States, better household welfare due to remittances, ease of mobility etc.
  • More autonomy to women: Some reports have even stated how women get more autonomy and decision-making power in the family due to the absence of men who migrate.

ISSUES WITH CIRCULAR MIGRATION

• • Framing public policy: With the increasing fluid movement of people, framing policy around migration is one of the biggest challenges for policymakers as it needs to address complex challenges.
  • Brain drain: Migration of citizen from origin to host country creates brain drain for their origin countries where most talented people of origin country use their intellect and innovation for the advancement of another country.
  • Reduced opportunity for natives: There is a concern of reduced opportunity for natives in host countries and increased competition between citizens.
  • Job uncertainty: There is also a certain risks associated with circular migration as jobs related are seasonal and often irregular. There are also issues of migrant to work in unhygienic and unsafe conditions and are routinely exploited.
  • Cultural conflicts: The influx of migrants have caused a wide range of anxieties and cultural conflicts in the host populations with most of them now calling for restrictions and outright ban on migration.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• • Bilateral agreements with host countries: For protection of migrant workers in other counties there is need to ensure bilateral agreements with countries like UAE, USA where most of our countrymen in order to ensure their welfare and security.
  • Digitisation: There is need for digitization of migrant workers data for better management and ensure access to basic resources through government initiative like One nation One card.
  • Government initiative: Both Central Government and host and origin government need to take stringent action to address the issue. Though, Central government have enacted Inter-State Migrant Workmen act, 1979 and Code on Social security to regulate safety and employment of migrant workers. Also, some States like Kerala have announced health insurance schemes for migrant workers as Awaz Health scheme but there is need of more effort to ensure migrants rights.
  • Beneficial for both countries: Circular migration can bring the tendency of frequent movement where negative effects of brain drain will reduce and a sort of brain circulation will be encouraged. Here, the individual can use his talents in both countries and still contribute to remittances.
  • Using migration for development: There is need for effective management of migration to maximize the development impact of migration for all.
  • Cultural unification: Migration leads to intermixing of people from diverse cultures. It can be used for positive contributions such as the evolution of composite culture and breaking of the narrow mentality of the people at large.

THE CONCLUSION: Circular migrants remain at the margins of physical, social, cultural, and political spaces in both areas whether rural or urban. It is high time that States start actively formulating policy to understand the extent of circular migration and address the issue of migrants proactively.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/specials/text-and-context/circular-migration-looking-at-both-sides-of-the-debate/article67377466.ece

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. 1. 1. What are the main socio-economic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities of India? (2021)
      2. Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. (2015)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. 1. 1. What is circular migration and how is it different from other forms of migration? Explain its reasons with context of trends seen in India.
      2. With rapid industrialisation, there has been a huge trend of circular migration. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of circulation migration.