Employment Related Emigration of Indian Labour in Pandemic Scenario: Evidence across Indian States

Abstract

COVID-19 is a major source of social unrest and economic anxiety. COVID-19 not only caused sicknesses and worsened world health, but it also proved to be bad for the economy because it eliminated jobs and sources of income. Given this, the aim of the article is to examine how COVID-19 affects labourers who leave India in search of work overseas. The factors influencing job-oriented emigration from India to other countries are also examined in this study. Empirical study based on secondary data is facilitated by panel regression analysis. The empirical result indicates that there is no statistically significant negative impact of COVID-19 on the job-related emigration of Indian labourers. On the other hand, factors such as the Good Governance Index, the Labour Force Participation rate, and the Gross Enrollment Ratio significantly influence the labour emigration of Indians who are employed. The paper ends with appropriate policy recommendations.