COVID 19 AND REMITTANCES: A STUDY ON KERALA ECONOMY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i6.2024.6462Keywords:
Return Emigrants (REM), Remittances, Covid-19, Kerala EconomyAbstract [English]
Covid 19 had a severe impact on migrant population in the world. India having the largest migrant population in the world was greatly affected during the pandemic. Kerala experienced tremendous flow in return migrants during Covid and it was estimated to be 4 lakh and there was expected to be a loss of Rs 13000 crore annual remittances for the state. There were several issues faced by the return emigrants during Covid; loss of employment was an important concern of the state. Kerala Migration Survey 2021 that was conducted during the Covid period collected data from 1985 return emigrants (REM) covering 1871 households. The survey used CATI (Computer Assisted Telephonic Interviewing) Method which is broadly a non probability sample. The paper uses KMS 2021 data to analyse the return emigration to Kerala during Covid-19 and tries to discuss remittances and causes for return emigration in the light of Covid. The return emigrants are classified into three categories which are normal return emigrants (NREM), disress return emigrants (DREM) and return to re-migrate (RREM). The paper looks at their characteristics, their reasons for return and remittances of return emigrants. The theories associated with return migration are studied in order to understand the nexus between remittances and return migration. The theoretical analysis along with the migration history of the state helps in the conceptual framework of migration and development discipline. As the state is known for migration to the Gulf and the growth of social sectors due to the external remittances from the migrants, the role of state in protecting its emigrants is vital. The state has tried to rehabilitate the return migrants through several programmes. The present paper looks at the return emigrants and their choices of remittances and future plans in the light of Covid. Therefore, the role of return emigrants in the development of the state requires further research and policy level interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Minu Sadasivan, Dr. M. Abdul Jamal
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