Sandeep Kulkarni
Independent Researcher
Maharashtra, India
Abstract
This study offers an in‑depth exploration of how internal migration shapes the socioeconomic trajectories and lived experiences of construction workers in Hyderabad. Using a mixed‑methods framework, we collected quantitative survey data from 150 migrant laborers—comprising 120 men and 30 women—originating primarily from rural districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, alongside 30 semi‑structured qualitative interviews to capture nuanced insights. Analyses reveal that migration yields substantial income gains, with average earnings nearly tripling compared to rural livelihoods, and meaningful remittances bolstering household welfare in origin communities. Yet, migrants contend with entrenched precarity: informal labor arrangements, hazardous worksites, substandard housing, and limited access to health and social services. Social networks emerge as vital coping mechanisms, facilitating job placement and shelter but also perpetuating cycles of informality. Gendered patterns surface distinctly: while male workers navigate occupational hazards and collective solidarities, female migrants juggle on‑site labor with domestic and caregiving responsibilities, often at lower wages and with heightened vulnerability to exploitation. Migration also catalyzes social change both in destination and origin: remittance‑driven investments in education and healthcare foster shifts in rural gender roles and aspirations, while the concentration of migrants in Hyderabad’s periphery underscores persistent spatial and social marginalization. Policy recommendations emphasize formalizing labor contracts, enforcing occupational safety standards, expanding affordable housing schemes, and fostering inclusive urban governance that integrates migrant voices. This research contributes to migration scholarship by bridging quantitative indicators with qualitative depth, offering actionable insights for policymakers, NGOs, and urban planners committed to equitable and sustainable urbanization.
Keywords
Internal Migration, Construction Labor, Hyderabad, Social Networks, Labor Precarity
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