Karnataka continues to attract migrant workers from across India, reflecting its expanding infrastructure sector and strong economic growth, with Bengaluru emerging as the primary hub.

Over 46,000 migrant workers registered

According to the state labour department, 46,393 migrant workers from more than 30 states and union territories are currently registered with welfare boards.

Workers from West Bengal form the largest group in the construction sector (10,730), followed by Bihar (9,489) and Jharkhand (6,021). Uttar Pradesh (3,845) and Odisha (3,508) complete the top five contributing states.

Bengaluru drives demand

A significant share of these workers is employed in Bengaluru, particularly in construction projects such as metro expansion, road development, and large residential and commercial complexes.

Officials note that while the registered numbers are substantial, the actual migrant population is likely much higher, as many workers remain outside formal registration systems.

Growth in gig workforce

The state has also recorded 10,475 registered gig workers availing social security benefits, including 1,316 migrants from other states.

Among them, Assam leads with 296 workers, followed by Odisha (275) and West Bengal (136). Many are engaged as bike-taxi riders and food delivery personnel in urban areas.

Welfare benefits for workers

A total of 40,945 workers are registered under the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, which offers a range of benefits.

These include a monthly pension of ₹3,000 for workers above 60, family pension, maternity assistance up to ₹50,000, education scholarships, insurance coverage, and healthcare support.

Gaps in data and regulation

Officials admitted that no comprehensive survey has been conducted to assess the total number of migrant workers across sectors. Under existing laws, only contractors employing more than five migrant workers are required to register them.

This suggests that a large number of workers may remain unaccounted for, making the true scale of migration significantly higher than official figures.

Government response

Responding to concerns about job competition, Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated that the government has not received complaints regarding locals losing employment due to migrant workers.


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