Summary
In Kerala, India, many workers from other Indian states pick tea leaves to earn a living. These migrant workers travel long distances for better job opportunities and income. They are essential to operating the region's tea plantations and other industries.
Key Facts
- Kerala relies heavily on migrant workers from other Indian states for its industries.
- Major source states for these workers include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
- There is a lack of recent data on internal migration in India since the last census was in 2011.
- Rajkumar Jani, originally from Odisha, works as a tea leaf picker in Kerala.
- Earnings for these workers depend on the amount of tea they can harvest.
- Workers often move to Kerala due to higher income opportunities compared to their home states.
- Employers commonly provide accommodation and some additional provisions to the workers.
- The natural beauty of Kerala is an added attraction for some of the workers.
