By Jyoti Agrawal, AIDMI, India

Climate-induced migration is increasingly shaping labour markets across India, particularly for women moving from climate-stressed rural areas to cities in search of work. While migration may provide livelihood opportunities, it also exposes women to harassment, exploitation, and unsafe working conditions in informal sectors. Addressing these risks requires linking climate resilience with labour protection and gender justice.

First, mapping migration routes and labour hubs is essential to identify where women face the greatest risks of harassment and violence during travel, settlement, and employment. Such evidence can guide targeted interventions and policy responses.

Second, strengthening workplace protection mechanisms in informal sectors is critical. Women migrant workers need accessible complaint systems, grievance redressal mechanisms, and stronger enforcement of protections against sexual harassment.

Third, improving awareness of legal rights and reporting systems can help migrant women understand available protections, including district-level complaint committees in workplaces without formal mechanisms.

Fourth, building partnerships between labour departments, city authorities, unions, and civil society organisations can help extend protection and monitoring to informal workplaces where migrant women are concentrated.

Finally, integrating GBV prevention into migration and disaster support programmes ensures that humanitarian assistance addresses safety and dignity alongside employment and shelter. Together, these actions can help ensure that migration remains a pathway to resilience rather than a source of exploitation and fear.