UPSC Syllabus
GS Paper I – Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Context
India and Israel have recently entered into a circular migration labor agreement.
Circular Migration
Introduction
Circular migration, a repetitive form of migration where individuals move between their home country and a destination country for employment, offers significant benefits for both nations involved. Recently, India and Israel have signed a circular migration labor agreement, facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Israel for temporary employment. This agreement aims to address labor shortages in Israel while providing Indian workers with valuable skills and higher wages. Such initiatives not only enhance bilateral relations but also contribute to economic growth and skill development in both countries.
Circular Migration
- Circular Migration: Recurrent migration where individuals move between their home country and a destination country based on job availability.
- Movement to various locations for short periods when employment is available.
- Predominantly observed among low-income groups seeking seasonal employment in different countries, cities, etc.
- Circular Migrant: According to the UN Economic Commission for Europe Task Force, a person is considered a circular migrant if they have completed at least two cycles between two countries.
- Gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of globalization and development.
Characteristics of Circular Migration
- Temporary stay in the destination country.
- Multiple entries into the destination country.
- Freedom of movement between the home and destination countries during the period of stay.
- Legal right to reside in the destination country.
- Protection of migrants’ rights.
Factors Driving Circular Migration
- Enhanced access to modern transportation and communication.
- Social networks.
- Expansion of multinational companies.
- Aging populations in developed nations like Western Europe and Japan.
Circular Migration within India
- Internal Migration: In India, migration within the country or state is predominantly circular.
- Rural to Urban: The rise of jobs in manufacturing, construction, and services has led to significant migration from rural areas to urban centers.
- Between 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, the construction sector saw one of the largest increases in employment, especially for rural males.
- Rural-Urban Collapse: This migration has caused rural populations and economies to decline, while urban areas face infrastructural challenges due to the influx of migrants.
- Uneven Development Post-Liberalization: This has resulted in substantial inter-state migration, with states like West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar experiencing high out-migration rates.
- Initially, most migration was to Delhi, but now it has increased to southern states as well.
- Most rural migrants were engaged in agricultural jobs in their home states and took up low-skill jobs upon migrating.
Positive Outcomes
- Higher-paying jobs compared to their home states.
- Improved household welfare due to remittances.
- Increased mobility.
- Women gain more autonomy and decision-making power in the absence of migrating men.
Issues
- Language Barrier: Rural circular migrants often rely on middlemen or brokers.
- They work in unhygienic and unsafe conditions with minimal protective gear.
- They face routine exploitation and significant ‘unfreedoms’ in host states.
- Indigenous wage groups and unions resent these migrants for accepting lower wages.
- Bare Minimum: Migrants can barely provide for themselves and their families, with little scope for asset creation or savings.
- Uncertainty: These jobs are seasonal and often irregular, adding to the precarity of their situation.
Benefits of Circular Migration
- Balanced Migration: Considers migration from the perspectives of both the receiving and sending countries.
- Human Capital Development: Gains experience with advanced construction machinery and modern management practices.
- Prevent Brain Drain: Reduces the negative impact of brain drain and promotes brain circulation, allowing migrants to utilize their skills in both countries while still contributing to remittances.
- Brain Drain: Permanent migration of highly-qualified professionals like doctors and engineers from their home country to a foreign country.
- Improving Quality of Life: The aging population in developed countries presents an opportunity for India to significantly improve the quality of life for many Indians within a single generation.
- Win-Win Solution: Government-to-government agreements ensure the protection of wages and social security for migrant workers in destination countries and guarantee their return.
Government Initiatives
- Demand Aggregation: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has compiled the skill gap requirements for many of India’s partner nations.
- State-Level SOPs: Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) collaborated with NSDC to develop SOPs and policy guidelines, enabling skilled youth to access higher-wage markets.
- Skill Development Mission: Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to provide vocational training and skill development to Indian youth, enhancing their appeal to international employers.
- Booster Training: NSDC has introduced a four-day course on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to enhance existing skills.
- International Cooperation Agreements: India has signed bilateral and multilateral agreements with various countries to facilitate labor migration and safeguard the rights of Indian workers.
- Overseas Employment Cell (OEC): The Ministry of Labor and Employment has set up Overseas Employment Cells in various states to assist migrants and their families.
Challenges related to Circular Migration
- Global Skills Gap: Despite having the necessary numbers, bridging the global skills gap is challenging.
- Language Barriers: Communication is difficult as short stays in different countries hinder language learning.
- Legal Compliance Challenges: Government-to-Government agreements for circular migration require precise skill matching and numerous legal compliances.
- Procedural Challenges: Obtaining a passport and demonstrating skills in the format required by the receiving country are significant hurdles for rural individuals.
- Indian workers may possess the necessary skills but struggle to showcase them using specific tools and predefined methods.
- Identifying Resources: It is challenging to identify, on a large scale, youth with the exact required skills.
Way forward
- Bilateral Agreements: Formulate detailed agreements that define the rights, duties, and expectations of both migrants and host nations.
- Visa Process Simplification: Streamline visa procedures, lower costs, and enhance the efficiency of obtaining work permits.
- Vocational Training: Provide skill development and vocational training programs to migrants, ensuring they have the necessary qualifications for specific job roles.
- Secure Remittance Channels: Ensure safe and affordable channels for remittances to encourage migrants to send money back to their home countries.
- Employer Collaboration: Work with employers in both countries to identify skill gaps and create customized training programs.
Conclusion
Circular migration in India presents both opportunities and challenges. It enables workers to gain valuable skills and higher wages, contributing to economic growth and improved quality of life. However, issues such as language barriers, legal compliance, and procedural hurdles must be addressed to maximize its benefits. Government initiatives like skill development programs and bilateral agreements are crucial in facilitating this process. By ensuring the protection of migrants’ rights and fostering international cooperation, India can harness the full potential of circular migration, benefiting both the migrants and the broader economy.
Related PYQ
Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. [UPSC CSE – 2015 Mains]
Practice Question
Discuss the concept of circular migration in India. Highlight its benefits and challenges, and suggest measures to enhance its effectiveness. [150 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction: Define circular migration and provide a brief overview of its relevance in India.
- Body:
- Benefits: Discuss the economic, social, and skill development advantages of circular migration.
- Challenges: Highlight the issues such as language barriers, legal compliance, procedural difficulties, and exploitation.
- Government Initiatives: Mention existing policies and programs aimed at facilitating circular migration.
- Suggestions: Propose measures like simplifying visa processes, enhancing skill development programs, ensuring secure remittance channels, and fostering international cooperation.
- Conclusion: Summarize the key points and emphasize the need for a balanced approach to maximize the benefits of circular migration while addressing its challenges.