India's first national COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 had a devastating impact, particularly on the 40 million internal migrant workers who lost jobs and income, faced challenges returning home, and experienced food insecurity and inadequate living conditions. While many states struggled to respond effectively, Kerala demonstrated a comparatively swift and efficient response, supporting its large population of 'guest workers' through various interventions. This study addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on the lived experiences and subjective wellbeing of migrant workers during the lockdown, rather than solely on material resources. Understanding their perceptions of wellbeing and the effectiveness of interventions is critical for improving disaster preparedness and policy planning. The research utilizes the WeD framework and the concept of recognitional justice to analyze the complex interplay of material resources, social relationships, and subjective experiences in shaping migrant wellbeing during the crisis.

Existing research extensively documents the material hardships faced by migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown in India, including job losses, income reduction, and food insecurity. However, few studies have examined subjective measures of wellbeing and incorporated the lived experiences of these workers. This study addresses this gap by using the WeD framework, which goes beyond material factors to incorporate relational and subjective aspects of wellbeing. The concept of recognitional justice is also applied to analyze how interventions addressed the diverse identities, values, and experiences of migrant workers and how sensitivity to these differences could be better integrated into policy design.

This qualitative study employed a people-centered approach, prioritizing the perspectives and understandings of the research participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with three groups: 10 migrant workers (all male, aged 20-40, employed in various informal sectors), 5 volunteers involved in relief work, and 3 local self-government (panchayat) members. Convenience and snowball sampling were used for participant recruitment. Interviews were conducted online (Zoom, WhatsApp, or phone) in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions. The lead author's prior experience working with migrant workers through the 'Lets Reach Out Kerala' project facilitated access and ensured sensitivity to participant vulnerabilities. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was provided by all participants. Call reports from the LROK project were also used to corroborate interview data.

The study revealed that the lockdown severely impacted the migrant workers' material wellbeing through job losses and income reduction, leading to stress and anxieties. While Kerala's government implemented various interventions, such as Community Kitchens and the DISHA helpline, accessibility and cultural appropriateness were significant issues. Many workers did not receive aid due to a lack of awareness or logistical challenges, while the food provided in community kitchens often differed significantly from their preferred cuisine, leading to rejection. However, significant relational wellbeing was found through existing and newly developed support networks. Employers, house owners, neighbors, shopkeepers, and volunteers provided substantial assistance, which in turn increased trust and confidence. Despite initial material hardships, many workers felt safer in Kerala than in their home states due to perceived job security and the help they received. The term 'guest worker,' adopted by Kerala's government, was met with mixed reactions. While some saw it as a sign of inclusion, others felt it did not translate to tangible improvements. The study highlights the importance of considering all three dimensions of wellbeing (material, relational, and subjective) to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

The study's findings highlight the interconnectedness of material, relational, and subjective dimensions of wellbeing, especially during crises. The effectiveness of government interventions was influenced by factors beyond simply providing material resources. Accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness were critical determinants of migrant workers' perceptions of support. The ambivalent response to the 'guest worker' terminology underscores the importance of moving beyond symbolic recognition to tangible improvements in living and working conditions. This study provides valuable insights into the complexities of disaster response for migrant populations. Integrating all three dimensions of wellbeing into future policies and practices is crucial.

This study's key contribution lies in demonstrating the necessity of a holistic wellbeing approach that integrates material, relational, and subjective dimensions when addressing the needs of migrant workers during crises. While Kerala's interventions demonstrated a degree of recognitional justice, improvements are needed in accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to track long-term effects of the pandemic and the effectiveness of various interventions. Further, developing a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan that prioritizes these dimensions, and integrates the voices of migrant workers themselves, is necessary for more effective and equitable disaster response.

The study's sample size was relatively small, limiting the generalizability of findings. The reliance on online interviews may have excluded some migrant workers with limited digital access. The study's focus was on a single state in India and may not reflect the experiences of migrant workers in other regions. Future research with larger, more diverse samples is needed to validate the findings.