An Analysis of Migration during Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been negatively impacting the entire world economy. The plight of migrants and their struggle to return home in the period of lockdown has been highlighted during lockdown. The migrants see no future in returning to cities; they want to go back to their homeland and are prepared to make the very minimum of money that is possible there. The COVID-19 pandemic has generally resulted in reverse migration, which has highlighted the importance of addressing migrant workers' socioeconomic needs and promoting inclusive and sustainable development in both urban and rural areas. This paper analyses the scenario of migration in India during the pandemic period and the evaluation of current policy responses by the central government and state governments. These initiatives supported the reintegration of returning migrant workers into the local economy, promoted sustainable livelihoods through employment and entrepreneurship, and helped offer immediate assistance to them. The welfare of millions of migrant workers and the management of the migration crisis depended heavily on cooperation between the central and state governments. The purpose of this article is to discuss the crises of reverse migration amid Covid 19 and the initiatives taken by the Government of India. The article uses PLFS 2020-21 data to analyze the issue. It observes that the female migration rates have been steadily increasing during the period 2020-21. The majority of migrants in intra-state movement are women, and the majority of migrants in inter-state migration are men. The primary causes of migration brought on by COVID-19 include health issues, the departure of a parent or other family member who earns money, job loss or a lack of work opportunities.