Migration and Employment Situation in Mega City: A case of Greater Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Greater Mumbai is most populated mega city in India. Paper examines the migration and employment condition in the Mumbai metropolitan area using census and survey data. The study provides information on changing pattern of employment and workforce in the city during last two decades. City has observed shift from manufacturing sector to tertiary sector. The migration has always played significant role in economic development which is declining. The differences in industrial and occupational profile of workers in terms of sex, age and migration are examined.
Liberalization and globalization policy of India has resulted in many changes in Indian economic scenario. Due to opening up Indian economy many industries could not cope up the competition with multinational companies. It has resulted in loss of employment in Mumbai as well as neighbouring areas. Nearly fifty per cent workers reported lack of work in enterprises, in area and closure as main reason for quitting of jobs. Another major change observed is the increase in the self employed workers as compared to regular wage and salaried jobs. Work participation rate declined by 5 percent for males while for females increased by 12 percent during 1961-2001. Economic Census (2005) indicate decline in employment in Mumbai.