ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reasons for the continued marginalization of migrant labor in present-day India despite the existence of several laws and funding initiatives to provide a safety net for them. Apart from well-known reasons, such as corruption, Deshingkar identifies other less appreciated cultural and social reasons which permeate the implementation of programs and data collection efforts as well as labor markets which are heavily segmented. Migrants belonging to historically subjugated groups are positioned at the bottom of the work ladder with few prospects for upward mobility. Deshingkar argues that labor market regulation and protection is needed to address entrenched caste, class, gender, and ethnic inequalities in Indian society. She concludes that advocacy groups, unions, government departments, and academics must work together to bring about the cultural change that is needed to improve the lives of migrants.
