Push and pull factors of migration: A case of Brick Kiln industry of Punjab State

Abstract

Migration is a global phenomenon caused not only by economic factors but many others like social, political, cultural, environmental, health, education, etc. It generally takes place in the area of less economic opportunities and retarded social development towards developed and fast developing areas. Punjab is among the smallest states of the Indian Union but it has achieved great heights in many fields like the agricultural sector, industrial sector, and so on. To cater the needs of agricultural and the industrial sector, large scale migration has taken place from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Very little has been done at micro level to inquiries into the characteristics of individual migrants and the factors influencing individual's propensity to migrate. The present study attempts to fill up the important gaps and to make a modest contribution to an understanding of socio-economic conditions of brick-kiln migrant workers. A majority of the migrant workers were young in age, illiterate, or had a low level of education, and belonged to SC/ST, a large number of whom came from big families. Eighty-six per cent of workers belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. They have been living in extremely dusty and unhygienic accommodation without water and electricity supply arrangements. The brick-kiln workers were not at all aware of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979, and other labour laws. A better employment opportunity is the first and most significant factor with maximum percentage of variance, which motivates the workers to migrate. Better job opportunities, industrial development, and comparatively higher wages in Punjab attract the brick kiln workers whereas lack of job opportunities at their native locale compels them to migrate. Fulfillment of self aspirations' and 'higher wages' with percentage of variance equal to 11.02 have emerged as the secondary factors as a push factor.