Livelihood

Loss of livelihood has stranded many migrant workers and returnees. An estimated 390 million workers from the unorganized sector/migrant community in India are without any social support.  The humanitarian crisis is unlikely to go away soon for the following reasons:

  • The imperatives of social distancing that are likely to remain will result in only partial staffing of factories and offices, delaying the economic recovery.
  • Anecdotal feedback from the field indicates that many of the migrant workers who have managed to return home are reluctant to go back to the city
  • This will have a double whammy effect – while the workers and their families will continue to suffer because of zero income, the reduced supply of labor will further delay the already sluggish revival of the economy.
  • A sizable proportion of unskilled labor comprises children. The sudden disruption in labor supply will result in increased child-trafficking and bonded labor

Our Approach:

  • Identified Geography: We are playing an active role with livelihood-focused interventions in the states and districts where we or our partners have a strong presence
  • Collaborate with Govt: We are facilitating easy linkages to banks and employment guarantee schemes and promoting participation in Gram Sabha meetings, village development planning, etc.
  • Support: We are keeping women-led community collectives and networks at the center of our initiatives, enabling them to run community kitchens/backyard kitchens, and enable farm and non-farm livelihood interventions.