MIGRANT LABOR ISSUES & CHALLENGES – A CASE STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

This research explores the challenges faced by migrant laborers in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on their working conditions, socio-economic impact, and policy implications. Migrant labor has become a crucial part of the labor market in Andhra Pradesh, contributing significantly to sectors such as construction, agriculture, and textiles. Despite their vital role in the economy, migrant workers often face exploitation, lack of adequate legal protection, and poor living conditions. The study examines both pre-existing and COVID-19 amplified challenges. Migrant workers often face issues such as inadequate wages, poor housing, and lack of access to essential services. These problems are compounded by limited government intervention and lack of institutional support. The pandemic further exacerbated their vulnerability, with many workers left without livelihoods and forced to return to their home states, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis. The study also examines the social exclusion and gender-based disparities within the migrant workforceThe study suggests that strengthening labor laws, improving housing and healthcare provisions, and creating more robust safety nets for migrant workers are essential steps to improving their welfare. By understanding the multifaceted issues faced by migrant workers, the research aims to provide policy recommendations that will improve their working conditions and ensure their inclusion in the broader socio-economic framework of the state.