Migration is an essential livelihood strategy in rapidly developing, low‐income contexts. However, this article seeks to analyze occupation choices and the struggle for livelihood among laborers. This study carried out both secondary and primary data; the primary survey was conducted in the Udupi district of Karnataka. Detailed information was gathered from both individual and household levels. According to National Sample Survey data, construction offers the main occupation for short duration migrants, absorbing 36.2% of total short duration migration. However, the field survey findings indicated that at the destination, the construction sector migrants are more vulnerable and struggle for their lives and livelihood in the urban labor segments—poverty and rural unemployment a significant reasons to push the laborers into the construction segment.

This article examines the trend and patterns of migration in India. Internal and international migration occurs in search of survival, fulfilment, and a better life. Over the last few decades, major driving forces for urbanisation all over the world and is of concern in Asia due to the raising magnitude. Hence, Due to urbanization and globalization generate enormous opportunities for employment and livelihood for people in the country. The large numbers of people moving internal migration as well as international migration in the different part of the countryside. Thus, the article discussed some of the important theoretical underpinnings of the issue of migration as reflected from India. However, this paper would orient towards the protection of labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments of the migrant workers, which will be a key to achieving the agenda of Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 2030.

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