Overcoming Barriers: Women Migrant Workers in Western Odisha

Migration is generally the permanent or semi-permanent transformation of residents inside or outside of a country. There can be inter-state, intra-state, inter-district and intra-district migration. The movement of people from village areas to town areas is called rural-urban migration. The rural push factors such as decline in income from agriculture, lack of alternative job, poverty, unemployment, denied access to basic facilities, further encourage people to move to cities. Women and girls are migrating to cities in hopes of getting opportunities, finding greater financial independence, and gaining new lives for themselves and their families. In that condition, the informal sector provides employment opportunities for women in cities as street vendors, domestic workers, construction workers, etc. Migration is widespread in the area of western Odisha. There is a mass seasonal migration from rural to urban areas, including Sambalpur, Bargarh, and to cities in other neighbouring states. This paper begins with a discussion on female worker migration in Western Odisha, tracing the roots from perspectives of both push and pull factors. Next, it examines the challenges confronted by female migrants in the workplace and challenges related to basic infrastructure after migration. Finally, there will be discussion on policy and programmes for migrant workers.