Out-migration from tea gardens and its cause and effect: a case of West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT

This study examines escalating concerns about out-migration from tea gardens, focusing on Kurti Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, of India. Results from a comprehensive field study illuminate a complex scenario, with only 21.13 per cent of individuals employed and pervasive challenges in promotion prospects. High living expenses, limited livelihood options, and inadequate amenities propel households into debt, prompting migration. South India, notably Thiruvananthapuram, emerges as a preferred destination, especially for the younger demographic. The study provides insights into multifaceted reasons driving migration, stressing the need for holistic interventions, encompassing economic, socio-cultural, and labour-related aspects. It advocates for improved wages, enhanced living conditions, healthcare access, education, and measures to counter deceptive recruitment practices. The study reveals that comprehensive strategies are essential for addressing challenges related to migration-driven hardships in tea gardens. This can be achieved through collaborative efforts involving the government, management, and civil society.

KEYWORDS:

• Decent work conditions
• Employment
• Livelihood
• Migration
• Poverty
• Social security

Acknowledgements

The author is very grateful to Dr Emily Finlay and the anonymous reviewers for their careful review and insightful comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 This is the lowest unit of the Panchayati Raj Institution, which is India’s three-tiered democratic system. Its jurisdiction covers a defined area with a population ranging from 6,000 to 10,000. The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected through direct elections for a term of five years by the eligible voters in the area.

2 This is a comprehensive assessment tool developed by India Migration Now (IMN), a non-profit research organisation headquartered in Mumbai. Its primary objective is to evaluate the degree of integration of interstate migrants within various Indian states. The assessment encompasses eight distinct policy areas, incorporating over 60 individual policy indicators. IMPEX serves as a ranking mechanism for the comparative analysis of all states across India based on their policies related to migrant integration. This index addresses critical questions such as the identification of Indian states with the most migrant-friendly policy frameworks, the comparative analysis of India's migration-related policies in relation to international standards, and the establishment of benchmarks for assessing the effectiveness of integration policies aimed at internal migrants within India. IMPEX thus provides valuable insights into the policy landscape governing the integration of migrant populations within India's diverse state contexts.