Undocumented migrants in India are hired by industry precisely because they form cheap & flexible labourforce, without access to social networks, trade unions or the state at work destination to call employers to account
India's urban led, export oriented economic model is based on cheap labour provided by circular migrants as a comparative advantage for attracting investments and producing cheaply for global markets making
As casual, contractual labour without written contracts, long chains of intermediaries, or standard employee employer relations, these groups are often not even paid minimum wages let alone access labour rights & entitlements
Circular migrants are also not able to access state's justice delivery institutions when their labour rights are compromised. Caste, language and gender based stigmatization by police and local level officials is common - migrants being considered criminals, dirty or outsiders.
Litigation processes in labour courts on the other hand require formal documentation and work contracts, proving employment relations which migrants do not possess. Besides, litigation is lengthy and expensive process, while migrants cannot afford.
In terms of social rights associated with citizenship, such as healthcare, migrants are often turned away as the responsibility of industry rather than local govts which are meant to serve 'permanent residents' or 'tax-paying citizens'
In our survey, > 90% migrants reported accessing private healthcare facilities - at urban health centres or public hospitals they faced hostility from staff, unsuitable timings or language barriers. An adivasi migrant commented - We are jungli people, the doctors wont treat us
Migrants live in un-recognised settlements - often inside worksites or in the open or on illegally constructed buildings which falls outside purview of healthcare services offered at the local level.
Even ASHA or ANM workers do not visit migrant settlements for delivery of essential services as their incentive structures have a sedentary bias - they are incentivised for consistent delivery of services, which is not possible with mobile and dynamic migrant popuations.
