MACMILLAN Rural Labour Mobility in Times of Structural Transformation: Dynamics and Perspectives from Asian Economies

This book examines essential issues and perspectives on rural labour, helping readers understand the changes that are currently taking place in the labour markets, especially with regard to migrants from rural to urban areas, their socio-economic conditions, factors contributing to such mobility and associated problems.  Further, it addresses the question of why the socio-economic conditions of rural labour have not experienced measurable improvements.  Presenting a collection of painstakingly researched essays that focus on both India and China, the book addresses these challenges with an explicit focus on safeguarding the interests of rural labour under the neoliberal dispensation. The research is based on primary survey data and analytical issues from selected Asian economies, especially from India. On the basis of the findings discussed, it subsequently suggests ways forward so as to improve the wellbeing of migrant households and put an end to distress migration. Lastly, the book convincingly argues that improving labour market outcomes, and more specifically, generating employment and providing alternative livelihood avenues, represents the most pressing challenge in rural areas. Review “This book is an interesting read for those seeking to understand the process of economic transition and the challenges ahead in South Asia.” (Abhishek, South Asia Research, Vol. 39 (3), November, 2019) Review “This book, a collection of some of the best writings on labour structures and migration from China, Bangladesh and India, is a valuable reading.  The papers bring out empirical evidences underpinning the theoretical framework of structural transformation of an economy, and also the employment and living conditions of the rural-urban migrants.  The bearing on these issues is full of fresh insights in the context of changing economic contours.” (S.R. Hashim, Chairman, Institute for Human Development, New Delhi, India and Editor, Indian Association of Social Science Institutions) “India is growing at six to seven percent annually. It is an exciting transformation from mid-eighties onwards, of men and machines crossing all frontiers. This volume illuminates this process: Its glory and pains. A must read.” (Y.K. Alagh, Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, India and Former Union Minister of State for Planning, Science and Technology, Government of India.) “India’s, for that matter South Asia’s, slow pace of structural transformation is in sharp contrast to the high growth performance of the economy during the last three decades. It’s also in sharp contrast to China. But the real import of this transformation has to be seen from the point of labour, it’s mobility and employment conditions. This volume captures the unstable and insecure conditions of labour in large parts of India and Bangladesh along with the scenario in China. A must read for those interested in the labour dimension of development.” (K.P. Kannan, ICSSR National Fellow and Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, India.) From the Back Cover This book examines essential issues and perspectives on rural labour, helping readers understand the changes that are currently taking place in the labour markets, especially with regard to migrants from rural to urban areas, their socio-economic conditions, factors contributing to such mobility and associated problems.  Further, it addresses the question of why the socio-economic conditions of rural labour have not experienced measurable improvements.  Presenting a collection of painstakingly researched essays that focus on both India and China, the book addresses these challenges with an explicit focus on safeguarding the interests of rural labour under the neoliberal dispensation. The research is based on primary survey data and analytical issues from selected Asian economies, especially from India. On the basis of the find