publications

EVIDENCE TO INFORM POLICY FOR INTERSTATE MIGRANT WORKERS TO KARNATAKA, KERALAM AND TAMIL NADU

The South India Interstate Migration Survey 2026 (SIIMS 2026): Evidence to Inform Policy for Interstate Migrant Workers to Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu is a collaborative research publication of the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The study was conducted by IIMAD supported by UNFPA, with engagement and support from IOM throughout the study.

SIIMS 2026 is based on a mixed-methods study of interstate migrant workers in 33 districts across Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu, covering 1,824 respondents and six employment sectors: three common sectors—agriculture, fisheries and footloose/daily labour—and one migrant-intensive sector specific to each state: scrap collection in Karnataka, hospitality in Keralam, and textile/garment work in Tamil Nadu. Primary data were collected between 15 December 2025 and 31 March 2026 through a structured questionnaire of approximately 180 items and computer-assisted personal interviews using KoboToolbox, following approval by the Research Conduct and Ethics Committee of CHRIST (Deemed to be University).

The study was supported by a systematic scoping review of existing evidence, with contributions from researchers and research interns associated with IIMAD and the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID). The report brings together this research, field and institutional collaboration to provide an evidence base on interstate migration, employment and working conditions, housing, health, social protection, financial security, gender, social inclusion, resilience and multidimensional vulnerability, and concludes with policy recommendations for more coordinated, portable and migrant-responsive migration governance in South India.