Protection Strategies for Interstate Migrant Workers in Kerala: An Urgent Call for Policy Reforms

Interstate migrant workers in India are highly disenfranchised, often facing exploitative labour conditions without access to social protection, healthcare, housing, or other basic rights. Their informal employment leads to precarious living situations and limited worker rights. Despite their significant contribution to India's GDP, these workers are denied full citizen rights, exacerbating their economic vulnerabilities. Addressing these issues requires recognizing them as right-bearing citizens, entitled to essential services and protections. Policy measures should focus on empowering these workers, enhancing their economic security, and ensuring their rights as equal members of society. Kerala has seen a substantial influx of interstate migrant workers, with approximately 3.4 million migrants as of 2021. This migration shift from South-South states to North East-South, as indicated by Census 2011 data, highlights the diverse origins of these workers seeking employment opportunities. Despite policies aimed at their support, many migrants remain outside these protective measures. The authors' fieldwork reveals pervasive human rights violations, including inadequate shelter, unequal wages, and limited access to labour and health protections. Legally Indian citizens, these migrants often face systemic denial of their constitutional and human rights, with international and national human rights standards unmet in Kerala. This paper emphasises the economic vulnerabilities of migrant workers and the concept of right-bearing citizens, advocating for policy reforms to bridge the gap between policy and practice. Recommendations include strengthening policy implementation, enhancing legal protections, raising awareness, improving access to services, and promoting social inclusion.