The engine of growth runs on the fuel of migrant labour, which moves from less productive sectors like agriculture to more productive sectors like manufacturing and services. Therefore, social networks play a big role as reputation in the community acts as a bond against potential malfeasance or low productivity. Wages will have to rise significantly, and networks that underpin informal labour markets will have to reform for the process to resume. Therefore, we see attempts like the construction industry lobbying a state government to cancel trains to stop migrant workers from heading back home. The economy will not move forward unless the migrant workers come back.

Source: Hindustan Times May 08, 2020 13:40 UTC