International Journal of Management

Volume 11, Issue 10, October 2020, pp. 1238-1241. Article ID: IJM_11_10_111
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijm/issues.asp?JType=IJM&VType=11&IType=10
Journal Impact Factor (2020): 10.1471 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com
ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510
DOI: 10.34218/IJM.11.10.2020.111

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

LABOUR WELFARE MEASURES OF MIGRANT

WORKERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN
KERALA
Dr. Lissy Bennet
Assistant Professor of Commerce, All Saints’ College, Trivandrum, India

ABSTRACT
Construction industry plays a pivotal role in the economic life of Kerala through
its contribution to industrial output, employment generation, and the export earnings
of the country. Most of the employees in construction sectors are migrants, as they are
right choice to the constructors for establishing their construction schedules. Kerala
witnesses a large inflow of migrant labour from different parts of the country.
However, income and employment condition of the migrant labour in Kerala appears
to be inadequate. Present study is also an attempt to understand the labour welfare
measures provided to the migrant workers in Kerala and also to identify their
satisfaction towards these facilities.
Key words: Labour welfare, migrant, migration, construction industry
Cite this Article: Dr. Lissy Bennet, Labour Welfare Measures of Migrant Workers in
Construction Industry in Kerala, International Journal of Management, 11(10), 2020,
pp 1238-1241.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJM/issues.asp?JType=IJM&VType=11&IType=10

1. INTRODUCTION
Migration is a process of moving people from one region to another for livelihood. In
interstate migration, people started to cross the boundaries in search of better job
opportunities. Construction industry plays a pivotal role in the economic life of Kerala
through its contribution to industrial output, employment generation, and the export earnings
of the country. Most of the employees in construction sectors are migrants, as they are right
choice to the constructors for establishing their construction schedules. Kerala witnesses a
large inflow of migrant labour from different parts of the country especially from the states
like West Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Odisha. Higher wages for the
constructions workers in Kerala comparing with other State is the main factors which attract
migrant workers. Improvement in economic activities and the constructions boom has led to
steep rise in the demand for manual and construction labour, this increased the need of
migrant workers in State. However, there are some problems which are faced by migrant
workers, such as poor healthy conditions, low security measures, lack of education, poor

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 Labour Welfare Measures of Migrant Workers in Construction Industry in Kerala

sanitation etc. Even though legislation has passed for the improvement of the life of migrant
workers, but they are not practically implemented. Present study is an attempt to identify the
labour welfare measures provided to the migrant workers in Construction industry in Kerala.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 To identify the labour welfare measures provided to the migrant worker in Kerala.
 To study the satisfaction level of labourers towards the labour welfare measures
provided to the migrant workers.

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Shamna, T.C., Baiju, K.C., (2016) attempted to study the economic and non-economic issues
and challenges confronted by the in migrant workers in the construction sectors of Kerala. It
also discuss extend of protection measures available to the immigrants construction workers
in the study area. The study reveals that majority of the workers are dissatisfied with their
existing working conditions. John, C.P., (2004) studied the emergence of welfare fund models
of social security on the construction workers in Kerala and analyses the success of funds and
payments commitments of the welfare fund. The study also covers their socio-economic
background of construction works with emphasis on socio psychological characteristics of
elderly among them. The study found out that the income from construction work is hardly
sufficient to meet basic family requirement. Padmanabhan, A.J., (2016) studied the need for
the promotion of development initiatives to the current status of migrant in Kerala. The study
revealed that the migrant face several barriers in acquiring civic amenities, housing and
employment as well as restriction on their political and cultural rights because of linguistic
and cultural differences. Saikia, D., (2008) attempted to study the characteristics and
economic condition of migrant workers in Kerala district of Kerala and examine the flow of
remittance and its impact on local economy. The study found out that the nature of
employment of migrant workers has barely changed even after migration. James, L., (2016)
attempted to study the experience of Kerala migrants in other countries with regard to the
attitude and behavior of local people towards them in the host society. The study found out
that the existing legislation helps to keep the society away from social problems which can be
caused by the migrant worker. Kumar, N., A., (2011) attempted to study about the dimensions
of vulnerability of migrant workers in Kerala a state in India known for its social protection
mechanism for labourers. The study found out that a study relating to a multi institutional and
multi-dimensional should be conducted to understand vulnerability of migrant workers.

4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is an attempt to identify and understand the labour welfare measures of migrant
workers in the construction industry in Kerala.

5. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

For conducting the study, both the primary and secondary data has been used. Primary data is
collected from 50 migrant workers who are working in the construction firms in Kerala.
Population constitutes all the migrant workers in construction industry. 50 sample respondents
were selected using convenience sampling method. Secondary data is collected from the
published and unpublished sources such as Books, journals and websites. All the data was
processed manually. Mathematical tools like percentage analysis and graphs were used for the
purpose of analyzing the data. Conclusions have been drawn from the results of that analysis.

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 Dr. Lissy Bennet

6. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Present study attempted to identify the labour welfare measures provided to the migrant
workers in Kerala and their satisfaction.

6.1. Identification of labour welfare measures

Table 1 Provision of labour welfare measures
Labour welfare Measures Responses Percentage Responses Percentage
(Yes) (No)
Drinking water facility 50 100 0 0
First aid facility 40 80 10 20
Latrine facility 40 80 10 20
Washing facility 46 92 4 8
Canteen facility 30 60 20 40
Rest room facility 36 72 14 28
Crèche facility 6 12 44 88
Source: Primary data
Table 1 reveals that majority of the migrant workers in Kerala are provided with drinking
water facility, first aid facility, latrine facility, washing facility, canteen facility and restroom
facility. However, majority (88%) of the migrant workers in Kerala are not provided with
Crèche facility.

6.2. Satisfaction level of labour welfare measures

Table 2 Satisfaction level
Labour welfare measures Responses Percentage Responses Percentage
(Yes) (No)
Drinking water facility 30/50 60 20/50 40
First aid facility 26/40 65 14/40 35
Latrine facility 14/40 35 26/40 65
Washing facility 20/46 42 26/46 58
Canteen facility 16/30 54 14/30 46
Rest room facility 16/36 44 20/36 48
Crèche facility 6/6 100 0 0
Source: Primary data
Table 2 reveals that out of the workers who are provided with labour welfare facilities,
majority of them are not satisfied with latrine facility and washing facility. However majority
of the labourers are satisfied with the drinking water facility, first aid facility, canteen facility,
rest room facility and crèche facility.

7. SUGGESTIONS
On the basis of the findings, it can be suggested that most of the workers are not satisfied with
all the medical requirements. So better medical aid should be given. Measures should be
adopted to provide the workers with clean and hygienic latrines and rest rooms with sufficient
water facilities. Crèche facility is an important necessity for the female workers. Proper
arrangements should be made for that.

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 Labour Welfare Measures of Migrant Workers in Construction Industry in Kerala

8. CONCLUSION
Present study was an attempt to examine the labour welfare measures provided to the migrant
workers in the construction industry in Kerala district. This analysis is based on 50 migrant
workers in Kerala. By analyzing the data, the study was concluded that majority of the
migrant workers are not satisfied with the labour welfare measures provided to them.
Therefore proper measures should be adopted to improve the welfare measures provided to
the migrant workers. The welfare measures will help to motivate and retain migrant workers.

REFERENCES
[1] Padmanabhan, J. (2016). Status of Migrant from other states to Kerala need for development
initiatives. International Journal of Commerce, Business and Management, 5 (1).
[2] Arun, P., A., & Ajay, P., A. (2017). Migrant labours in Kerala: A study on interstate migrant
workers. International journal of research, 2(2).
[3] John, C., P. (2004). Social security and labour welfare with special reference to construction
workers in Kerala, Kerala Research Program on local level Development, Centre for
Development Studies.
[4] Saikia, D. (2015). Migrant workers in Kerala: A study on their socio-economic condition.
Journal of economics and social development, 11(2).
[5] James, L. (2016). Social integration of migrant workers in Kerala: Problems and prospectus.
Center for Education Development and Research Society.
[6] Kumar, N., A. (2011). Vulnerability of migrants and responsiveness of the state, the case of
unskilled migrant workers in Kerala, India. Centre for socio economic and environmental
studies.
[7] Shamna, T.,C., & Baiju, K.,C. The emerging issues of migrant labourers in the construction
sector of Kerala. Indian Journal of Economics and Development, 49 (2).

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