The demand for construction laborers in the real estate sector is rising sharply, creating significant challenges for developers. Real estate developers are increasingly struggling to complete their projects on schedule due to a lack of adequate labor resources. The sector now stands as the second largest employer in India, trailing only the Information Technology field. Nevertheless, reports indicate that some developers resort to offering cash advances to laborers to incentivize their presence on work sites.
As real estate development accelerates, Noida has emerged as a major hub for migrant workers in Uttar Pradesh. Large influxes of construction workers arrive in Noida, with the majority seeking jobs in the real estate sector. Unfortunately, those who are unable to secure employment often turn to criminal activities.
A report from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) highlights that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of bonded labor cases. Labor department officials have noted that migrant workers in the construction industry are frequently exploited and pushed into significant debt.
Despite the abolition of bonded labor in 1976, incidents of such practices remain evident across India. This form of labor initially starts with the employer providing assistance to the worker but can devolve into coercive dependency. While a few cases are documented, the sheer volume of migrant laborers underscores the issue.
Many of these workers are transported to construction sites through intermediaries. In some instances, advances are paid to laborers or their families to entice them into the workforce. Sociologist Surinder S. Jodhka asserts that this dynamic fosters a new kind of relationship, wherein a dependency-based structure can emerge, reminiscent of bonded labor.
Migrant laborers predominantly engaged in the real estate sector often find themselves in deplorable living conditions that are not only unsanitary but detrimental to their health. They are compelled to inhabit 'urban villages,' which are essentially areas where migrant populations are densely packed.
A police officer reports that these construction workers come from various parts of the country, with most securing opportunities in the real estate sector. However, those who fail to land jobs may resort to criminal activities. The officer further elaborated that many of these workers face coercion from unscrupulous moneylenders who offer upfront cash to exploit them later on. Thus, even decades after its prohibition, bonded labor persists in India in various insidious forms.