Migrants in the Pandemic and the Challenge for Local Government

This policy brief addresses a challenge for local government that has emerged with COVID-19,particularly in rural areas of developing countries. As the urban informal economy in India collapsed due to the pandemic, large numbers of people have been returning to their villages of origin in rural areas. However, some of their skills are not relevant in rural settings and the migrant workers cannot easily be absorbed into agricultural employment. Local government in these areas is therefore faced with a new problem that also has consequences for local democracy. The policy brief presents the problem, a case study and possible policy responses, with a focus on district level government in India.

This policy brief is a result of the ICLD Local Democracy Academy 2020.