COVID-19 and the plight of the migrant worker in India

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has affected the lives of entire populations across the globe. Different sections of the society have been impacted, some more than others. In the context of India, which has a sizeable number of people living in adversity, the impact of COVID-19 has been more pronounced in the sub-section of ‘migrant workers’. Due to the imposed lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus, these workers have lost their jobs and the insecurity has led them to return to their home villages in arduous conditions. Their plight is showcased here which also exposes the role of the government which has been largely indifferent and reactionary at best. The article is based on secondary research and offers certain takeaways about how emergency situations need to be handled differently to ensure no particular section is neglected.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• coronavirus
• migrant worker
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author’s contribution

Dr Mahfooz Alam and Syed Hameedur Rahman Zaini contributed to the design and implementation of the research and the writing of the manuscript.

Notes

1 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

 

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahfooz Alam

Dr Mahfooz Alam is working as an Assistant Professor at The ICFAI University, Dehradun. He holds MBA and Ph.D. in the area of Finance from Aligarh Muslim University, India. His research interests include Asset Pricing, Behavioural Finance, Mutual Funds and Islamic Banking. He has published papers in international and national journals of repute.

Syed Hameedur Rahman Zaini

Syed Hameedur Rahman Zaini has completed PhD in Business Administration from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. His research interests lie in areas which range widely and include marketing, sustainable development and inclusivity. He has published several research papers in well-respected international journals. He possesses a rich blend of teaching and corporate experience.