[21] MIGRATION PATTERNS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ZARI WORKERS OF HOWRAH DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL: ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Mar 25, 2026, Revised: Apr 7, 2026, Accepted: Apr 13, 2026, CrossRef d.o.i : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i4.2026.252-262. How To Cite: Unmana Dhar (2026). Migration Patterns and Socio-Economic Impact of Zari Workers of Howrah District, West Bengal. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews. 5(4).252 -262.

Unmana Dhar

Authors

Unmana Dhar Research Scholar, Women's Studies Centre, Vidyasagar University, Rangamati, West Midnapore- 721102, West Bengal, India.

Abstract

This paper explores the migration and socio-economic realities of Zari artisans in Howrah district, West Bengal, with a focus on gender and informal labour structures. It traces the movement of skilled artisans from Uttar Pradesh in the 1950s, driven by declining traditional patronage and the search for better economic opportunities. Their settlement in areas such as Panchla, Domjur, and Uluberia led to the growth of vibrant Zari clusters and the transfer of specialised skills, shaping a unique hybrid craft tradition. The study highlights the crucial yet often invisible role of women, who largely engage in home-based embroidery work. Despite their significant contribution to household incomes, they face multiple constraints, including limited mobility, lack of recognition, and restricted access to resources and markets. The paper also examines the impact of recent crises, particularly demonetization and the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted livelihoods, triggered reverse migration, and exposed the fragility of this cash-dependent informal sector. Overall, the study shows that while migration has historically supported the growth of the Zari industry, it has also produced enduring vulnerabilities. It calls for more inclusive and gender-sensitive policy measures to support artisans and sustain this traditional craft.