“Worked for Two Months but Paid for One”: Migrant Construction Workers’ Struggles in Bengaluru
Image Source: Bangalore Mirror
Bengaluru’s rapid urban growth has led to endless construction projects across the city. Behind every flyover, metro station, and apartment building stand thousands of migrant construction workers who have travelled from distant states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha in search of better employment opportunities. They leave their homes and families behind, hoping for steady work and timely pay. But for many of these workers, consistent wages remain an ongoing struggle.
Delayed and Inconsistent Wages
At one of Bengaluru’s metro construction sites, several workers spoke openly about one problem that affects them the most: delayed and inconsistent payments. Ajeeth, a worker from Bihar, described how they often complete two months’ worth of work but receive payment for only one month. “We feel stuck,” he said. “We have to send money home to our families, but when the payments are delayed, we are unable to do so.”
For these workers, any delay in wages has a direct and immediate impact on their families. Most of their families back home depend entirely on this income to cover essential expenses like food, rent, school fees, and medical bills. When wages don’t arrive on time, entire households suffer. Many workers end up borrowing money just to survive while they wait for their pay.
Contracting System and Wage Exploitation
The problem starts with the way construction projects are managed. Large companies hand over projects to contractors, who then hire subcontractors. The workers are usually employed at the lowest level of this chain. When payments get delayed at any stage above them, it is the workers who bear the final impact. Most of the time, they have no direct access to the companies that actually own the projects.
Job Insecurity and Uncertain Future
Adding to the problem is the fact that many of these workers do not have written contracts. They are often hired informally, without proper documentation, and are paid in cash. Without formal agreements, they have very little legal protection or proof of the work they have done. When payments are withheld or delayed, they have no official paperwork to support their claims.
The workers also fear speaking up too strongly against these delays. Many of them worry that if they complain, they will simply be replaced. There is always a steady supply of labour willing to work under these conditions, so the workers feel they have very little bargaining power.
Their living conditions are equally challenging. Many workers live in temporary shelters near construction sites. These shelters are overcrowded, lack proper sanitation, and offer minimal comfort. The workers stay away from their families for months, hoping that their hard work will provide financial stability for their loved ones. But the repeated delays in wages turn that hope into constant financial anxiety.
Apart from delayed payments, many workers are also unaware of what will happen when their current contract ends. They do not know how to secure future work, whether any benefits or compensation are due to them, or what legal rights they might have once their job is over. This lack of information adds to their sense of insecurity.
Workplace safety is another serious concern. Workers are often exposed to dangerous conditions without proper safety equipment or training. Injuries are common, and there is little access to affordable medical care. If a worker is injured on the job, they are often sent home without any compensation or support.
Though there are government laws such as the Building and Other Construction Workers Act meant to protect them, most migrant workers are not registered under these schemes. As a result, they miss out on benefits like health coverage, safety measures, and social security. Many workers are not even aware that such schemes exist, and those who are aware find the registration process complicated and out of reach.
The workers repeatedly say that they are not asking for anything extra. They simply want to be paid regularly for the work they do. Timely wages would allow them to support their families, avoid debt, and reduce the financial pressure they constantly face. But under the current system, even receiving the wages they are owed has become uncertain.
Bengaluru’s infrastructure continues to expand rapidly, and the demand for construction workers remains high. But unless strong regulations are enforced and contractors are held accountable for payments, the situation for these migrant workers is unlikely to improve. The people building the city’s future are, ironically, left with an unstable present.
For now, these workers continue to show up each day, uncertain of when they will be paid or what their next job will be once their current contract ends. Their contribution to the city is visible in every new structure, but their struggles remain largely hidden.
About Author: Suraiya Chishty and Aahanaa Mahanti are second-year students pursuing a BA in Media and Journalism at the Department of Media Studies, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. They are passionate about exploring social issues through thoughtful storytelling and aim to bring attention to the lived realities of marginalized communities through their journalistic work.
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