A study conducted by the State Planning Commission (SPC) has found that migrant workers are subjected to long working hours, with 53% of them working for more than eight hours a day.
A majority of the migrant labourers in the construction sector work for nearly 10 hours a day. When it comes to manufacturing, half of them work for more than eight hours a day. In the services sector, they work for up to 12 hours a day.
The study was undertaken to find out who are the migrant workers moving to Chennai region; what kind of employment they find; their level of earnings; and their living conditions while working here. The report also found that better income, lack of opportunities in their home towns, and better quality of life are some of the reasons why migrants come to Tamil Nadu. It also provided suggestions on how the State government could support them.
One of the biggest concerns is that around 84% of the workers surveyed are employed without any written contract. Many do not receive any allowance/non-wage payment for food, travel or medical purposes from their employers. They also do not receive any social security benefits such as the Provident Fund, health insurance, and paid medical leave. Those in the construction sector have reported worksite hazards.
Over half of the migrant workers live in deplorable conditions at their workplace. Eight out of 10 migrant workers live in kutcha or semi-pucca houses with minimal amenities. Despite the poor quality of housing, a migrant worker typically spends about 15% of his/her monthly income on rent. Access to toilets is another significant issue, with many workers having to rely on shared toilets.
According to the analysis done by the SPC, on an average, the monthly earnings of a migrant worker in Chennai region in 2024 was ₹15,902 — marginally higher than the income required for a family of four to remain above the poverty line, estimated to be ₹14,556 per month. Based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 by the Government of India, researchers have estimated the poverty line in 2022-23 to be ₹3,639 for urban India, using the method proposed by the Rangarajan Committee. Assuming the poverty line remained unchanged between 2022-2023 and 2024, the income required by a four-member family in Chennai in 2024 would be ₹14,556. The highest average income is earned by migrant workers in the construction sector (₹18,696 per month), followed by those in the services sector (₹17,025 per month) and the manufacturing sector (₹14,534 per month).
Migrant workers say they have gained a lot after moving to Chennai region. They say they are able to spend more on food, education and health for their families; purchase assets such as land or a house in their native place; repair assets; pay back their debts; and spend on social events such as weddings.
Nearly all migrant workers send money back to their families in their home towns, but there is a significant variation in the amount remitted by them. “Nearly two thirds of all migrant workers remit below ₹5,000/month to their homes while nearly one fourth remit less than ₹1,000 a month. About one-fifth of migrant workers remit more than ₹10,000 a month, that is, more than 60% of their average monthly income,” the study said.
Published – April 07, 2025 12:07 am IST
