Researchers

Achyuta Adhvaryu, Anant Nyshadham, Karan Nagpal

Abstract

The Government of India initiated a 21-day nationwide lockdown on March 25, later extended by two weeks. This lockdown mandated the closure of nearly all factories. The severe travel restrictions imposed during this lockdown stranded thousands of migrant workers away from home. Remittances are a vital source of income for the families of these migrants. This lockdown has disrupted income flow, likely producing a large economic shock for these households. There is a need to understand how migrants and their families are coping with this shock in order to design successful policy measures. Researchers conducted a remote survey in April 2020 with 560 female migrant employees of Shahi Exports—India’s largest garment exporter. These migrants live in hostels near the factories and most of them (87 percent) remit a large share of their wages (50 percent) to families living in rural India. Researchers are comparing data collected during the lockdown with pre-COVID-19 baseline data. From preliminary findings from the first round of survey in April 2020, researchers find that proportion of workers who remit has decreased to single digits, despite the fact they had received their salaries during the lockdown.

Project Outcomes of Interest

Remittances habits (quantity; frequency; channels); financial strain and food scarcity; stress levels related to health, employment, and finances

Partners

IDinsight, Shahi Exports, Good Business Lab

Key Findings

From preliminary findings from the first round of survey in April 2020, researchers find that proportion of workers who remit has decreased to single digits, despite the fact they had received their salaries during the lockdown.

Impact Goals

Project Data Collection Mode

Implementing Organization

IDinsight

Results Status

Results