Abstract

Migration occurs for a variety of social, cultural, economic, and political causes. Employment-induced out-migration is a prevalent feature of various Indian states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and others, according to previous Census reports. In Kolkata, informal labourers have a plethora of job prospects in the city's large business centres and minor manufacturing facilities. This study examines the migration pattern and reasons for migration to Kolkata using D-series Census Data from the years 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2011. Secondary data is insufficient to provide insight into the city's non-Bengali informal labour movement patterns. The current study uses an extensive field survey to determine the dominance of non-Bengali single (non-family) male labour migration and to investigate migration streams to Kolkata's informal sectors. The article argues that non-Bengali migrants represent the informal labour community in Kolkata, particularly from undivided Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and that the pattern of migration is primarily occupation-induced single male labour migration, using both secondary and primary data from different decades.

Key words: Informal, Labour, Migrants, Kolkata, States.