Investigating the conditions of vulnerability experienced by migrant workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Kerala, India

Abstract

This article analyses research findings from the PROWELLMIGRANTS project which qualitatively investigated the impact of COVID‐19 upon migrants’ wellbeing and mental health in Kerala, India. It draws from a novel conceptual framework that combines assemblage‐thinking with theories of social contracts in disasters. The article first explores how past development processes and contemporary migration policies in Kerala, and India more widely, generated conditions of vulnerability for migrant workers in Kerala prior to the pandemic. We then show that Government of Kerala interventions, in some cases supported by the central Government of India, temporarily addressed these vulnerabilities during the pandemic period. These efforts should be applauded. However, in acknowledging the helpful response of the Government of Kerala we problematise their stance on migrant workers during ‘normal’ times and speculate that permanently addressing these conditions of vulnerability would be a more logical approach. We acknowledge this involves overcoming many barriers which have their roots beyond the jurisdiction of the Government of Kerala. Thus, our paper also contains national‐level policy implications for India.