Can the migrants speak: A study on seasonal migration from Bihar to Kolkata after COVID-19

Migration is a dynamic social process that relocates cultures, ideas and resources from one region to another. In India, seasonal migration occurs due to various reasons such as economic, political, social, cultural, etc. The internal migration of India is fueled by the need for employment by unskilled labours in the informal sectors. Numerous unskilled labours from Bihar travel to West Bengal in search of better job-related opportunities. Such people are mostly employed in unorganised sectors with a very low pay scale. However, there are numerous challenges associated with the informal or its unorganised labour force due to fact of the limited scope of production, lack of social security, and so on. There is a paucity of research regarding the trends associated with this particular sector. In this vein, this research paper will aid in understanding the livelihood activities partook, the necessities of such individuals and their coping mechanisms. Furthermore, this research paper also delves into the changing socioeconomic and cultural contours of the studied population after the coronavirus pandemic.