Marginalization Among In-Migrant Construction Workers in Kerala: Exploring the Socio-Economic and Political Dimensions

Abstract

An attempt was made to understand the extent of marginalization among in-migrant construction workers in Kerala, and the socio-economic and political dimensions associated with this marginalization. Data mainly came from an individual survey conducted among 600 in-migrants working in construction sector in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulum. In-depth interviews were conducted to understand the socio-economic and political dimensions of marginalization in Kerala. A composite index was constructed to understand the extent of marginalization among workers. Logistic regression models were used to understand the socioeconomic correlates of marginalization among the migrants. Around 77.7 percent of the in-migrants working in construction sector experienced severe marginalization. Of the 16 issues listed for accessing the marginalization, they had 11 or more problems. Age and education were statistically associated with the marginalization. Young aged in-migrants were more likely to experience marginalization as compared to others. Migrants aged less than 25 years, and 25-34 years were respectively 2.86 times and 2.55 times more likely to report marginalization as compared the in-migrants aged 35 years.