Which two factors have created very poor working and living conditions for seasonal migrant agricultural workers?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Migration and lack of job security
Option (1) Drought and low productivity at home — Incorrect. Drought and low productivity explain where the migrants come from: drought-prone and less productive regions. They push workers to leave home but are not the causes of their poor conditions at work.
Option (2) Migration and lack of job security — Correct. Moving from place to place and having no job security leave seasonal migrant workers with very poor working and living conditions. Wealthy farmers also prefer them because they are more easily exploited and can be paid lower wages.
Option (3) Mechanisation and loss of farm work — Incorrect. Mechanisation is not the cause given for these workers' hardship. Their migration grew from the rising seasonal demand for labour in prosperous Green Revolution regions.
Option (4) Patronage ties and payment in kind — Incorrect. Patronage ties and payment in kind belong to the older system that broke down. Their breakdown is what set off this migration, so they cannot explain the migrants' present conditions.
NCERT (2026-27): “4.5 Circulation of Labour … |