A Study on The Occupational Structure of Migrant Workers of Manipur

Migrant workers play a vital role in the economic growth of the country. There has always been an issue of migrant workers where they move from one place to another for their livelihood even in the global context. This paper examines different occupation of the workers and the reasons for migration. Though migrant workers contribute to economy of a country yet they face numerous challenges that affects their livelihood and their conditions of work. As per 2011 Census, India has total 45.58 crore migrant’s population which accounts for 37.6% of the population out of which 67.9% are females and 32.1 are males. Around 45% rise in migrant’s population was recorded between 2001 and 2011. It also reveals that the main reason for females’ migration is due to marriage while mostly males migrated in search of jobs. The Manipur state has 6.9 lakhs migrant workers out of which male’s migrants are 4.4 lakhs while 2.4 lakhs are females. The research reveals that migrant workers in Manipur mostly engaged in construction, agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. The paper delves into the problems of the migrant workers facing financial instability, employment opportunities, low wages, long working hours, lack of access to proper education, health care, and unskilled workforce in the economy. This paper will provide various policy recommendations and suggestions for the welfare and improving the living standards of the migrant workers.