Living conditions of internal labour migrants: a nationwide study in 13 Indian cities

In India, rural impoverishment and livelihood opportunities in cities result in rural-urban migration. However, migrants face myriad of challenges at destination. This paper reports living conditions of internal labour migrants living in 13 Indian cities. Quantitative data were collected from migrants, who have migrated to the city within the last ten years but not less than 30 days. Majority of migrants live in non-notified slums in katcha or semi-pucca or squatter houses. About 38% of migrants do not have access to sanitary latrine and depend on open defecation. Only 59% of households had metered electricity connection. Only 23% possess ration card while 57% have voter identification cards. Thus, migrants are deprived of basic amenities and are marginalised to access several social entitlements. Since migrants are an inalienable part of the cities, the governments should recognise them as a vulnerable group that needs targeted interventions.