Rural Out-migration of Labours and Their Sufferings in the Migration Process: A Respondents Survey

Author(s): Samsul Hoque

Abstract:

This paper focused on the rural out migration of labours and their sufferings associated with the migration process of Malda District, West Bengal. This study is mainly based on primary data collected from the migrant labours of the district by respondent survey using semi-structured survey schedule. The migrant labours were interviewed to understand the causes of migration and the sufferings in their migration process. The study reveals that Malda district witnesses huge out migration of labour forces to different states of India and abroad too. Most of the migrating labours of Malda District used to migrate due to a host of factors such as shortage of agricultural land, low returns from agriculture, low wage rate, lack of gainful employment opportunities throughout the year etc. Lack of proper education and mass illiteracy leads to further deterioration in employment opportunities. Therefore, the large scale of the working labour force of this district is bound to migrate in search of lower level jobs in different states of our country and abroad also. The labours face a lot of problems during their journey period from their place of origin to their place of destination and vice versa. They are also suffering from shortage of living rooms, unsafe drinking water, malnutrition, unknown language and culture, unhealthy living conditions etc and in most cases they are bound to live in a small tent at their place of work. They lead sub-human life. As a result, numerous deaths occur because of falling from towers and buildings, various diseases attack them and they come back to their permanent place of residence with a difficult disease. Besides these, sexually transmitted diseases spread over them. On the other hand their spouses and siblings also lead a sub-standard type of life in their permanent place of residence in their absence.

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