Away for Livelihood, Home for Farming: Migrant Workers Return to Nuapada

Nuapada: 16/05 With the arrival of the monsoon season, villages across Nuapada district have once again begun to witness renewed activity and excitement. After spending nearly five months working as migrant labourers in other states to earn a livelihood, many workers have now started returning to their native villages. As the agricultural season begins, they are preparing to engage in farming activities on their own lands. The long-awaited reunion with family members has brought joy and a festive atmosphere to rural communities. Nuapada district has long been known for the persistent issue of labour migration. Due to the lack of adequate and permanent employment opportunities in the region, thousands of workers leave their homes every year and travel to states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and others in search of work. However, with the onset of the monsoon and the farming season, the pull of their native soil brings them back to their villages. Yet, this return is not merely a happy family reunion; it also highlights a deeper concern regarding rural employment. Despite several welfare schemes introduced by the government, many areas still fail to provide regular and sustainable livelihood opportunities for labourers. As a result, migration for work continues to be a recurring reality, forcing workers to struggle for survival away from their homes year after year. On the other hand, although the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) remains one of the major sources of rural employment, questions are being raised about its effectiveness. Many workers allege that wages are often delayed for months even after the completion of work. Such delays compel them to seek employment outside the state once again. There are also discussions in several villages that, instead of genuine labourers, some non-working job card holders are deriving greater benefits from the scheme. These allegations have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in its implementation. According to intellectuals and social activists, the problem of migration can be significantly reduced if sustainable employment opportunities are created in rural areas, skill-based livelihood options are expanded, and timely wage payments under schemes like MGNREGS are ensured. While the returning workers are happy to be back on their native soil and participate in agricultural activities, uncertainty about their future remains evident. Therefore, people believe that strong and effective measures by the government and administration are essential to address the root causes of labour migration and provide a lasting solution to this long-standing issue.