Out-migration for jobs from Assam is a matter of concern

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Out-migration for jobs from the flood-affected areas in Assam has become a common but significant phenomenon. If the government does not take corrective measures now, the situation may go out of hand in future.

According to a survey report, insufficient returns from non-agricultural jobs/activities available locally have emerged as the prime cause of out-migration for jobs. The migrated people even find jobs in distant places – in plywood and rubber factories in Kerala, industries in Gujarat and security jobs in Tamil Nadu. The study could locate destinations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Maharashtra for work.

The abundance of jobs and regular flow of income have attracted many youths of the state to move out to distant places, the report said. Migrant workers revealed that they enjoy their jobs, employment and labour market security outside the state. According to the report, the magnitude of out-migration for work is very high in the villages of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Dhubri districts. The average monthly earning of such youths is Rs 6,500-Rs 15,700.

Floods and erosion spell disaster for agriculture and lead such youths to move out to eke out their living. The report said that it is not educational attainment levels but aptitude to acquire skill and perseverance that matter to sustain in jobs, employment and the labour market. It does not require much time to get accustomed to semi-skilled jobs in plywood, biscuit and ice factories or even in motor-part manufacturing units. Assam is now a labour-supply state, and the destination states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have gained significantly.

The present crisis of migrant workers amid the Covid-19 lockdown is a reflection of weak pull where employers and the state fail to ensure backup provisioning and securities to survive even for a month. According to the report, the pull at the destinations is considered weak if the earnings fail to ensure the minimum basic needs for decent living and working conditions.

Endeavour and struggle made by the youths in the distant lands opened up a few significant issues for Assam. "The state has enjoyed enough provisions in industrial subsidies and concessions but has failed to create enough sustainable industrial jobs since 1997. There is a depletion of forest resources, which compelled the Supreme Court to impose a ban on timber felling way back in 1996. The consequence of the closure of hundreds of sawmills and wood factories in the state are well known. The state fails to save the paddy fields from the negative externalities of floods and sand and resource-based job sectors through effective working plans. The struggle made by our out-migrants in lower-end non-standard job markets outside the state are indicative of governance on environmental and economic fronts," the report said.

"The present situation needs to have a discussion on accommodativeness of agriculture and farm sectors, and the non-farm sectors as well; how the state would make jobs available in the state sustainable with right regulatory measures," the report prepared by Cotton University and sponsored by the State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA) said.

Also Read:  Protected-class status likely to increase migration of Gorkhas in BTC districts: BJSM

Also watch: