Fate of migrant workers during lockdown with special reference to Tamenglong District of Manipur

Abstract

This paper intends to understand the challenges faced by the migrant workers during the lockdown. On 25th March, 2020 the Government of India announced the nationwide lockdown which restricted the movement of individuals as preventive measure against the Covid-19 pandemic in India. Millions of migrant workers were stranded without jobs and left no other options but to return home owing to sudden lockdown. Many economic activities or work place were shut down during the lockdown as a result, many workers lost their livelihoods. A study was carried out in order to understand the socio-economic conditions and challenges faced by migrant workers during the lockdown, and respondents were randomly selected among the migrant’s workers (or returnees) in Tamenglong district of Manipur. The results show that most of the migrant workers faced the problems of unemployment, financial crisis, lack of transportation facilities, food and accommodation, psychological stress and social stigma.