“Exploring Worker Migration Patterns in Aurangabad’s Informal Sector during COVID-19”

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in economic activities, particularly affecting workers in the unorganized sector. Aurangabad city, with its significant informal workforce, witnessed large-scale migration as daily wage earners, construction laborers, domestic workers, and street vendors faced income loss, workplace closures, and mobility restrictions. This study examines the migration patterns of unorganized sector workers in Aurangabad during the COVID-19 crisis, exploring the socio-economic factors that influenced their decisions to migrate, the nature of their movement, and the challenges encountered.

Using a combination of primary data collected through interviews and surveys of migrant workers, along with secondary data from government reports and local labor records, the study identifies key trends in migration, including temporary return migration, circular migration, and shifts in occupational engagement. Findings indicate that the pandemic intensified vulnerabilities among informal workers, disrupted livelihoods, and forced many to adopt coping strategies, including returning to native places or seeking alternative employment.

The study underscores the importance of understanding migration dynamics in times of crisis and highlights the need for targeted policy interventions, social protection measures, and support systems to safeguard the livelihoods of informal workers. Insights from this research can inform urban labor planning and strengthen resilience mechanisms for the informal sector in Aurangabad and similar urban centers.