From Rural Struggles to Urban Realities: Labour Market Experiences of Dalit Migrants

Upendra Sonpimple () and Vicky Nandgaye ()
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Upendra Sonpimple: The University of Edinburgh
Vicky Nandgaye: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 2025, vol. 68, issue 1, No 12, 239-262

Abstract: Abstract The paper elaborates on the reasons for Dalit migration from rural to urban areas, and their experiences of caste discrimination. The post-migration effects were examined by analysing the construction industry, which is one of the largest unorganised sectors in India. Caste is an unavoidable social fact in India, which hampers the everyday existence of the Dalit community. Violence and rigid caste structure elude Dalits away from rural areas and compels them to migrate to urban spaces. Migration becomes the only resort to escape dehumanisation and caste atrocities. Urban sphere gives a promising picture of casteless egalitarian society. However, the study revealed that the urban spaces do not remain untouched from such caste-based discrimination in construction industry. The urban spaces witness transformation, which makes caste invisible, but does not annihilate it.

Keywords: Dalit migrants; Migration; Construction workers; Street corner; Unorganised labour market; Caste discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J71 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s41027-025-00554-4

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