Invisible hands: the challenges and lived realities of migrant workers in Delhi and the need for inclusive development

Abstract

This research paper looks at the various challenges faced by migrant workers in urban India. It focuses on their poor working conditions, lack of respect and recognition at work, and ongoing denial of minimum wages required by Indian labor laws. Using a thorough literature review and data from semi-structured interviews with 54 migrant workers in Delhi, this study examines the daily struggles of workers in construction, sanitation, and other informal sectors. The literature shows a clear pattern of systemic neglect, including inadequate living conditions, exclusion from welfare programs, mental stress, and weak enforcement of labor protections. Migrant workers experience not only economic hardship but also social and emotional isolation, often working in unsafe and abusive environments. The interview findings support existing research and highlight the urgent need for inclusive policy changes, legal enforcement, and social acknowledgment to protect the dignity and rights of migrant workers. By combining personal insights with scholarly analysis, this paper aims to deepen the understanding of urban labor migration and its human costs in today's India.