Floating Laborers of India and Their Welfare: A Situation Analysis

ABSTRACT

Migration is a pronounced trend that has massively contributed to the industrialization process across the world. This vast labor pool that floated from a less-developed place to a more-developed place for better livelihood is our population of interest. This chapter examines the health and well-being of the floating laborer community of India, who are involved in some form of development projects both within the nation. It identifies the role of socioeconomic and political correlates in setting the context of migration in the country. Aspects of health including both physical and mental health with special emphasis on occupational hazards are explored. The general status of older adults, women, and children is studied to further expand on how needs such as housing, schooling, ration, and pediatric, maternity and geriatric healthcare needs are met in their migrated land. Benefits and risk factors of migrants, as well as topics such as inequity, discrimination, resources availability, and unemployment are analyzed. A dedicated session is set that observes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the overall health and well-being of laborer community and investigates the exploitation they are subjected to from their host companies/agencies. The chapter is exclusively tailored to learn about the overall health and wellbeing of the migrant community, and to identify the key factors involved in determining their well-being. The discussion concludes with a few recommendations that involve the collaborative effort of all stakeholders involved in migration. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Taylor and Francis Pte Ltd. 2022.