In recent years the term social protection has gained currency in developmental discourse: encompassing the range of protective transfers, services and formal and informal safeguards that are available to protect people in need or at risk of being in need. Whilst migration offers a safety net for poorer people in search of alternative or supplementary livelihoods, it also deprives many, of access to formal and informal sources of support. Social protection concerns emerge at all stages of migration: before departure, in transit, at destination and upon return. It impinges on internal and international migrants, irrespective of their status (regular or irregular) and also on members of their families. The papers in this volume deal with several sub-themes. They include: measures and services that migrants miss out when they move from one place, the kinds of informal measures that members of their families take in their absence, the kinds of measures that migrants take themselves in securing social protection at the place of destination, and the role of the state and non-government sectors in providing such protection both at places of origin and destination. The volume presents a number essays based on empirical research conducted in Bangladesh and India. The sub-themes discussed in the essays also look closely at the subject of female migration which indeed is a cause of current concern especially with regard to social protection issues of rural migrants in Bangladesh. The volume addresses questions such as how much social protection do vulnerable migrant workers, and those they leave behind, receive from the state and other formal agencies. The book should provide answers to questions frequently asked by scholars, students, development partners who wish to see an integrated social protection strategy for migrants.
