Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D (2025)

Labour migration has become a defining feature of tribal livelihoods in India, especially in states like Odisha, where recurring agrarian distress, limited employment opportunities, and uneven development push marginalised communities into seasonal and circular migration. This paper explores various aspects, including the patterns and causes of tribal labour migration among the Santal tribe in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, placing the phenomenon within broader socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts. It examines the trends, causes, and effects of labour migration among the Santals in Mayurbhanj. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews. It finds that migration is mainly seasonal and non-permanent. Economic hardship, land scarcity, a rapid decline in agricultural productivity, and ineffective rural development and welfare programmes chiefly drive migration. Social networks such as family, community, friends, and labour contractors play a key role in encouraging and facilitating migration. While migration can provide short-term relief for those facing financial difficulties and issues, it also causes long-term problems by disrupting families, risking health, and diluting or eroding cultural identity and sanctity. The paper suggests initiatives across multiple sectors to tackle the structural causes of tribal migration, including local employment opportunities, portable welfare services, skill development, and policies sensitive to tribal needs.