Searching for Opportunities
More than 110 million youth, men and women in the age group 15-32 migrate from their place of origin for a number of reasons. Census 2001 data shows that percentage of people in the age group of 15-34 moves within the state (40.6) than other age groups. Those who move outside the state in India is also highest in this age group (66.7).
The data shows that the main reason for migration of youth was marriage. One of the main reasons for migration for males is employment. But for females marriage is the main reason and those migrating for employment is a small percentage. Among young people in the age group of 15-24, those who migrate are literates. Among males also those who migrate are literates. Among females, literates and literate below metric are the migrants. So there is only a small proportion of highly educated youth who are migrating. These tell us that the migrating youth are mostly in informal sector jobs which do not give them any social security.
According to Charu Sudan Kasturi (2012) there is hidden underemployment of educated youth. It is also clear from the study that youth in India are not employed according to their skills and they are dissatisfied with the work they are doing. So if they get opportunities in other countries which match their skills and education they will surely migrate to other countries.
India’s cream of highly skilled professionals to the developed countries compri¬sing of doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, architects, entrepreneurs to developed countries can cause brain drain.
There are many problems which are faced by youth in their destination countries. Young labour migrants - especially low skilled migrants, those in irregular status, indigenous migrants, female domestic workers and other low skilled migrants –are at risk from labour exploitation and various forms of abuse. Also, many migrant workers become undocumented workers. There has to be more policies to improve the working conditions of the migrant workers in their destination countries.
The remittances sent by the migrants improve the lifestyle of their families. The family members in their birth places can have better access to health, education and food items. The housing facilities also increase.
There are social remittances also transferred by the migrants. For example, when a person from a community goes for higher studies or employment, others in the community can also be motivated to do so. Someone working outside their home country can bring back much more knowledge and skills.
Sometimes they can bring negative social remittances also. Many people who go to other countries for work and education may not be satisfied by the economic and social opportunities in their place.
Many young people move to other countries due to family pressure. Many families consider it as a status symbol to say that their children are in developed countries like UK and USA.
Governments and other youth agencies should work towards reducing brain drain.
There has to be more research on the internal and international migration of youth in India. There are no major studies to show that gender dimensions of migration, reasons of migration, remittances of youth to their place of birth etc. Also why people move to certain countries can also be studied. The National Youth Policy (2003) gives only a passing remark about migrant youth. The draft National Policy (2012) considers youth as a heterogeneous group and considers youth as a target group. But there is no mention of the activities that it is going to do for this group.
Charu Sudan Kastui (2012). Education and Employment: Bridging the Gap, State of Urban Youth, India 2012: Employment, Livelihoods, Skills.
