Editorial of the Day (31st Jan): Internal Female Migration

Context: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) estimated  27% internal migration of females in India from June 2020 to 2021.

Internal Female Migration Trends

• Women’s migration, often perceived through the lens of marriage (81%), masks other crucial factors like employment (2.42%) and education (0.48%).

Challenges Associated

• Employment Misconceptions: Surveys like the PLFS show high unemployment among migrant women (~75%), with only 14% in self/wage employment and 12% in casual labour.
  • The definition of employment in surveys often excludes informal sectors like agriculture, leading to underreported female labour participation.
• Educational and Social Barriers: About 85% of these women have less than 10 years of education, impacting their employment opportunities.
  • The lack of social netwo rks post-migration further hinders their employment prospects.
• Post-Pandemic: Post-COVID-19, 55% of women didn’t return to work, and returning workers earned only 56% of their pre-pandemic income.
• Policy Gaps: Current policies inadequately address female migrant needs, focusing more on male migrants.

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Recommendations

• Skill Development: Implementing programs to improve migrant women’s skills and education can enhance their job prospects.
• Social Security Expansion: Providing migrant women with access to social security and health services offers a crucial safety net.
• Recognition of Informal Work: Acknowledging the contributions of women in informal sectors is vital for ensuring equitable labour practices.
• Enhanced Data Collection: Gathering detailed socio-economic data on migrant women can lead to more informed and effective policies.

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