BHUBANESWAR: A survey by an NGO working on migration revealed that 25% of educated youths in five western Odisha districts work as unskilled migrant labourers in construction sectors and brick kilns every year.
This is another aspect of migration, where neither debt is involved nor has it got anything to do with distress. Interestingly, those studying the migration trend said the youths migrate solo or in groups to earn some buck to meet their personal expenditure like buying a mobile phone, fancy items, electronic gadgets and jeans and jackets besides saving some money for routine expenses back home. Some youths also save more than 50% of the earnings to support the family.
Migration researcher Saroj Barik said most of these youths have studied up to Plus II, a few drop out during graduation due to lack of attention and interest and a handful have completed graduation.
