Wednesday, June, 03,2026

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WILL MIGRANT WORKERS SEEK THEIR POUND OF FLESH?

Ahead of Bihar assembly polls, each and every political party is aware of the fact that jobs and employment opportunities are a must to woo the youth and notwithstanding the fact that over 58 percent of the state`s population is under 25 years of age! A young Bihar wants a future instead of free bhashan. With nearly 40% of Bihar’s electorate under the age of 30, the state’s youth power will play a very crucial role in forming next government.

As per Ministry of Labour & Employment 2022- 23 survey, Bihar’s overall unemployment rate is 3.4%, slightly higher than the national average which is pegged at 3.2%. However, the urban youth unemployment rate spikes sharply to 10.8%. Sadly, even flagship job schemes like MGNREGA fail to provide income consistently. In 2023-24, 517 families from Vaishali district completed 100 days of work. This is about 0.3% of over 176,000 families that demanded work. Across Bihar, this number was 23,074 families or 0.4% of 5.35 million households which demanded work, and 0.5% of 4.6 mn households that availed work.

The approved labour budget for the scheme in Bihar for the financial year was 225 million persondays, which is 25 million less than the previous year. Of this, by March 13, only 89.6% or 201.5 million person-days of work were completed. The average days of employment provided per household fell from 47.16 to 43.85. Women accounted for 54.29% of person days in 2023-24, down from 56.39% the previous year. Following the job scenario discussed above, let’s delve into the scenario of migrant workers from the state. The term “migrant workers” refers to individuals who move from one region to another for work. Various definitions exist.

WHY DO JOB-SEEKERS MIGRATE

  • Economic Distress: High rural unemployment and poverty compel individuals to seek jobs in urban areas. The rural unemployment rate reached 7.8% in April 2024.
  • Healthcare and Education: Limited access to quality healthcare and education in rural regions drives families to cities. Urban literacy rates are higher than rural rates.
  • Climate Change: Environmental degradation and extreme weather events lead to internal migration. For instance, 68% of India’s agricultural land is vulnerable to drought
  • Social Insecurity: Marginalised communities face discrimination and social exclusion, pushing them to migrate for better opportunities.
  • Political Instability: Conflicts in regions like Manipur and Jammu & Kashmir have led to displacements.
  • Job Opportunities: Urban centres offer betterpaying jobs.
  • Improved Facilities: Cities provide better healthcare and educational institutions.
  • Social Mobility: Urban areas offer anonymity and reduced social constraints, allowing for greater opportunities.
  • Infrastructure: Enhanced transport and digital connectivity in cities facilitate migration.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (1979) mandates the registration of establishments employing migrant workers. It requires contractors to obtain licenses from both home and host states. Despite these laws, implementation remains weak. Recent labour codes, including the Code on Wages (2018) and Code on Social Security (2020), aim to strengthen protections for workers.

Among states, Himachal Pradesh has the highest share of migrant individuals in the total population (45.7%) followed by states like Kerala, Telangana, Punjab and Maharashtra with 38.4%, 37.1%, 35.8%, and 35.6% of migrants in their population. On the other hand, after Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Meghalaya and Sikkim had the smallest shares of migrants in their population (0.2%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 10% and 10.8%, respectively).

According to the 2011 Census, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh accounted for around half of the total inter-state migrants. These states have the highest incidence of poverty, and lag behind in human development. As per NITI-Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (2015-16), poverty levels in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were 51.9% 37.7% and 36.6% respectively.

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July-September 2024, which contains data only for urban areas, put Bihar’s labour force participation rate (a measure of the share of the working age population that is actively working or seeking work) for those aged above 15 years at 40.6% and for those aged 15-29 years at 24.7%. Bihar ranks as the worst state in India on these metrics. For the same period in the PLFS, Bihar’s unemployment rate for those aged above 15 stood at 7.3%, which is above the national average of 6.4%. For those aged 15-29 years, the unemployment rate was 23.2% – well above the national average of 15.9%, and the sixth worst among the states.

With Bihar’s workers not having adequate jobs or employment opportunities locally, contractors and middlemen are active in Bihar. Sadly, one section of the society is only remembered during the polls, the migrant workers. Post polls, this section of the society again gets into jam packed trains and are ferried through untold miseries to their work place. Same has been the script for migrant workers for ages, they are the ones who make our infrastructure and have been relentlessly toiling in their endeavour to “connect India”. But find themselves disconnected from their roots. As per the 2011 Census data, there were altogether 74.54 lakh migrants from Bihar across the country, accounting for 7.2% of the state’s then 10.41 crore population.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Robin Roy, The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India

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Daily Astro

03-06-2026

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Aries

Ganesha says it will be an important day for you, Aries. Your energy and confidence are ready to take you to new heights. Today you will be able to express your thoughts with clarity, which will increase your communication skills. New opportunities may arise in the working areas, which you have to be ready to take advantage of. In social life, you can make new meetings, which will prove beneficial for you in the future. This day will be good for solving family issues, and you will be able to establish better relations with your close ones. In the field of health, take care of your routine and resort to yoga or meditation to relieve mental stress. Controlling your expenses will be a smart move, as any sudden financial need may arise. Overall, this day is for you to stay positive, just use your insight and energy properly.

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Pisces

Ganesha says it is going to be a positive day for you. Your sensitivity and intuition will flourish today, allowing you to establish better connections between yourself and others. It is time to connect with someone or refresh old memories. Try to communicate with people close to you, as it will strengthen your relationships. In the field of work, your creativity will be cyclical today. If you are working on a project, your ideas will be new and full of innovation. Do not be afraid to share your ideas, it will give you positive feedback from your colleagues. In terms of financial condition, avoid any big investments. Small expenses will prove to be justified but think well before making any big decisions for the long term. In terms of health, focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise. For mental health, practicing meditation or yoga will help keep you stress-free.

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Aquarius

Ganesha says new opportunities are likely to open up for you. You will be in a position to take your creative abilities to new heights. This is the time to share your ideas and make new plans. Your friends and family will support your ideas, so it will be beneficial to take their advice into account. Positive changes are possible in business. This is the right time to work on an important project. You will get an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge properly. But, be careful; in some cases, you will need to control your emotions. In personal life, relationships will deepen. You will try to spend more time with your loved ones. This is a good time for love and companionship. Enjoy emotional moments that will make your relationships stronger. Be health conscious. Dedication to yoga and meditation will give you mental peace. These activities will keep not only your body but also your mind active. Overall, today will be full of possibilities for you. Stay committed to your dreams and work on them.

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Capricorn

Ganesha says your day is full of some new possibilities. You will experience grace and stability in your actions. This is the time to focus on your goals and work with determination to pursue your plans. You are likely to get success in your work, especially if you maintain your hard work and dedication. Positive changes can also be seen in your relationships. You will get a chance to spend time with family and listen to them, which will increase mutual understanding and depth. Focus on communication, as it will make your relationships stronger. However, it is also time to make monthly plans. Take care of your financial matters and try to save. This is the time when you can take concrete steps for your future. Your health condition is likely to remain normal but take some rest. Maintaining a mental balance will be important for you. Stay positive and keep faith in your actions!

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Sagittarius

Ganesha says today will be full of new possibilities and positive energy for you. You will feel a rise in your confidence, which will keep you open to new opportunities. This is the right time to make an important decision. Your spirituality and intuition will be strong, which will enable you to understand and face difficulties. Spending time with friends and family will awaken a sense of happiness and satisfaction in your mind. Relationships with colleagues at work can take a new direction. Cooperation and communication will help solve problems. If you face an obstacle or challenge, remember that you can overcome it. In terms of health, you may need to make a little improvement in your routine. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will give you freshness and energy. Strengthening social relationships and contacting new people will also be beneficial today. This is the time for self-growth and positive change for you, so recognize the energy within you and use it properly.

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Scorpio

Ganesha says today will be full of enthusiasm and energy. You will move towards achieving your goals, and your hard work will pay off. Social life will also be active; you will get a good chance to spend time with friends and family. In terms of health, take a little caution. Focusing on meditation and exercise will help reduce mental stress. This is also a good time to take up a new hobby, which can unleash your creativity. Take wise steps in terms of money. Make informed decisions while investing. For potential financial gains, take a look at past projects again. Your career is showing good signs of progress. Your ideas may be appreciated at the workplace, which will increase your confidence. Still, some issues may require restraint. Overall, today will prove to be positive and auspicious for you. Spend it with pride with your loved ones.

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Libra

Ganesha says today will be a very auspicious and positive day. You will get a chance to clarify your thoughts, which will bring stability to your personal and professional relationships. Your communication skills will increase, and this will open the doors of new possibilities for you. Your creativity and aesthetic sense will be especially strong today. If you are associated with any art or design, your work will be appreciated. This is the right time to express your feelings. If you are confused about a decision, trust your intuition; it will show you the right path. In terms of health, small changes can make your life better. Focus on regular exercise and a balanced diet. In love and relationships, a new understanding will develop, which will strengthen the mutual bond even more. Overall, this day is a sign of positive changes and new beginnings for you. Stay focused on your goals and recognize your inner strengths.

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Virgo

Ganesha says today is a suitable day to highlight your cognitive abilities and business skills. Today, you will be full of clarity and precision in your actions, which will increase your value among your colleagues and superiors. There is a possibility of bringing some changes to your routine, which will bring positive results for you. This is a good time to improve relations with family members. Try to resolve any old disputes, and keep communication open. In terms of health, meditation and yoga will bring mental peace. Also, take some time out of your routine for exercise. From a financial point of view, this is the right time to make a good plan for the right investment. Take a good look at the options available to you and make a wise decision. Overall, today will prove to be a day of new possibilities and positive changes for you. Be full of confidence and stay focused on your goals.

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Leo

Ganesha says today will be a day full of energy and inspiration. Your confidence will increase and your thoughts will come out with clarity. On this day, you will be able to see some new possibilities in your career, which will bring you hard work. Mutual understanding and harmony will increase your relationship, which will create a happy atmosphere among the family. This is a great time to express your thoughts clearly, so do not hesitate to communicate with your partner or friends. It is important to be health conscious, a little exercise and meditation will maintain your mental and physical health. Overall, this day will bring activity and positivity for you, so make the most of all the opportunities!

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Cancer

Ganesha says it will be a day of information and communication for you. Your mind will be full of ideas and you will be able to express your ideas well. There is a possibility of some new opportunities in professional life, which can prove beneficial for you. It is a good time to strengthen relationships with your colleagues, so work together at the workplace. Your emotional state will also be strong. Time spent with family will give you satisfaction. If you have any old problem going on, then the right time is coming to solve it. However, you need to keep your emotions under control, so that you do not get agitated over small things. In terms of health, try to practice yoga and meditation. It will empower you both mentally and physically. Take informed decisions in financial matters; do not rush into any investments. In summary, this day will be all about communication and cooperation, which will lead to positive changes for you.

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Gemini

Ganesha says there will be a new energy and freshness in your thoughts, which will make your personality even more attractive. Social contacts are likely to increase, which will expand your network. You will be inspired to spend blissful time with your friends and family. Some positive changes can also be seen in the business sector. The results of your hard work will gradually start coming, and this will motivate you to move forward. Keep in mind that while sharing your ideology, work with empathy, this will strengthen your relationship with colleagues. It is important to be health conscious. A little attention and relaxation will give you mental freshness. Practicing yoga or meditation will be beneficial for you. This day will be full of positivity and new possibilities for you. Express your mind openly and do not hesitate to adopt new ideas.

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Taurus

Ganesha says it will prove to be a positive day for you, Taurus. You will feel energetic and full of confidence. The time has come to reap the fruits of your hard work and efforts. The workload may stress you for a while, but you will face all the challenges recognizing your strengths. Sweetness will also remain in your relationships. Spending time with your family and friends will be a source of joy for you. Conversation with someone special can give you a new vision and promote mutual understanding. A special occasion may be organized among friends or family, which will bring happiness and harmony to you. Moments spent with loved ones will give you mental peace. It is important to be health conscious. A little exercise or yoga will give peace to your mind and energy to your body. Your day will be full of happiness and positivity, just keep your thoughts and emotions balanced.

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03-06-2026