1. ‘Social consequences of Labour Migration’
(Study of Malappuram and Kozhikode Districts) By Dr. T.K. Anandi

Labour migration to Kerala needs attention because Kerala herself is facing acute unemployment problem. The Census Report 2001 also shows that 1.3% of the population in Kerala are migrants. The District statistics show that large scale migrant labourers are entering Kerala from Bangladesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Goa, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. They are mainly involved in works like construction, quarrying and mining, Road works, etc. which comes under unorganized, unskilled work. They work for low wages, in odd jobs, in contract labour. The average wage (daily) for migrant worker in Kerala is   211/-.

The migration of children is also significant. Young children migrate with their parents, as well as individually and through trafficking rings. The child labour statistics show high rate of migrants’ participation in quarries, hotels, mines and in construction work in Kozhikkode and Malappuram.
Global shift towards a more service-intensive economy and more labour-intensive manufacturing for exports have increased demand for female labour. Domestic work is the most highly demanded occupation for women in many areas. The recent sex-racket new explicitly show the Bangladesh migrants’ role.

The public service systems like sanitation facilities and the housing facilities are poor for these working migrants, and their health conditions also needs attention. The social integration with the Kerala society is a distant dream for them. Labour laws are akin to them and the working conditions are very poor.

Though there are studies on Emigration, there are very few in-depth study on the in-migration especially from other states of India. CSES, Kochi have conducted a study of the Tamil migrants in the Ernakulam city reveals the need for a solid policy, which takes into consideration the public health, and a social integration.
With the construction booms and fast growing urbanizations in Kerala, the process of in-migration from neighbouring poor states may increase. A solid study of the problems they face and the impact of migration in the Kerala society also have to be studied to formulate a better policy regarding migration.

The objectives of the study are;
• Conceiving migration as a social process, and understanding the push and pull factors of in-migration to Kerala.
• To understand the child migration and child labour among the migrants.
• To understand the wage structure of the migrants and the areas of labour concentration.
• To understand the living conditions, working conditions and the consumer habits (including public services) of the migrant labourer.
• To understand the role of the agent in the migration process.
• Impact on the environment and cultural space in Kerala.
The study commenced on 06.03.2010 and will be completed by the February end. The study centres on the problems in migration in Malappuram and Kozhikode Districts in Kerala.
The researcher Dr. T.K. Anandi well known social activist and freelance researcher.

2. ‘Study on Women Workers – the Unorganised Sector – Kerala’
By Smt. Bulu Roy Chowdhari & Dr. S. Radha

The pitiable conditions of workers in the unorganized sector have come in for wide-ranging discussions in various forums. The deplorable state of affairs of the workers in the unorganized sector have given shape to several social security schemes, including centrally funded programs, social insurance schemes, social assistance through welfare funds of Central and State Governments and State Government initiatives. Some of the centrally funded programmers are, National social assistance programme (old age pension, family benefit, maternity benefit), employment assurance scheme, Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Gram Smridhi Yojana and schemes for Handloom social security group insurance scheme. Among the social insurance schemes are included the Janshree Bima Yojana, Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojana – 2001, National Policy for Older Persons and Schemes for Handloom Weavers and artisans. Group Insurance scheme for Beedi Workers.

In the wake of several policy and legislative reforms, the purpose of this project studying women workers in the unorganized sector is also to understand how far the various schemes have actually benefited women who form the chunk of the unorganized sector. Such an exercise is also imperative to understand the gender sensitivity of various schemes floated for benefit of women in the unorganized sector at various levels.
The selected sectors for the study of Kerala are cashew, coir, fisheries and bamboo Kerala is well known for its traditional industries. These industries include coir, cashew, handlooms, handicrafts and bamboo. The traditions industries are one of the major sectors, which give employment to more than 1 million people in Kerala.

The core objectives of this research study for women in the unorganized sector, selected are;

• To assess the women’s awareness and views on social benefits for them.
• To redefine their status in workplace and family.
• To examine various aspects of their work and employment.
The area for the study are ;
Fisheries sector - Kochi
Coir - Alappuzha
Cashew - Kollam
Bamboo - Idukki

The study commenced on 26.03.2010 and will be completed by the February end.
The researchers are;

Bulu Roy Chowdhary, Member of All India General Council -AITUC, Member Working Committee-AITUC, Kerala and well known women activist.

Dr. S. Radha, Former Addl. Director, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Senior Faculty, Institute for Monitoring Economics Growth and Consultant for various NGO’s.)

1. Dr. K. Manu Bhaskar
Head of Sociology Department
University Of Kerala
Kariyavattom

2. Pro. T.S.N. Pillai (Retd)
Loyola College of Social Sciences
Thiruvananthapuram

3. Dr. J. Rajan
Professor & Director
Entrepreneurship Development Cell
University of Kerala

4. Sri. M.L. Tony Vincent
Joint Labour Commissioner (Planning)
Office of the Labour Commissioner
Thiruvananthapuram
Mob: 9446091283

5. Smt. Jaya Wilson
Senior Fellow
KILE

6. Dr. A.K. Shrihari
(Executive Director, KILE)