There are three major sources of vulnerability for migrants.

The first set has to do with the lack of their access to government services, whether law and justice, education or health. The second has to do with the lack of strong social networks and inability to pressurise through the political system. The third has to do with the lack of knowledge and understanding of how to “operate” in a new environment.

Most migrants tend to lack the necessary documents related to place of residence, and consequently lack basic identification. This makes it difficult for them to access everything from ration shops to primary schooling to government healthcare facilities. In a large survey conducted in Delhi’s slum areas we found many migrants who stated significant difficulties in getting their children in government schools because of their inability to complete the necessary paperwork. Same issues are likely to apply to healthcare, access to ration shops, etc.

The second is lack of access to a strong enough social network. Migrants necessarily do not have the same sets of non-economic relationships (read jaan pehchaan) that are so important in our country. So whether you want a document such as a passport, or open a savings bank account, or get yourself a quick LPG connection, or access any pubic service, migrants lives are much more difficult. To top it up, it takes many years before migrants finally enter the voting segment. So their ability to pressurise through the political system is also limited.

... contd.