Integration and Social Mobility of Migrants in an Emerging Metropolis

Sudesh Nangia, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Nivedita Hansraj, Management Institute of Population and Development

This study examines the economic, social and cultural integration of migrant workers in Ludhiana, an industrial metropolitan city in Punjab, India. Migrant work history data is drawn from a sample of 365 respondents in two main industries, hosiery and light engineering, and their ancillary units. Various economic, social and cultural indicators are used to determine the level of integration and social mobility of migrants in the city. The benchmarks for assessing the integration of migrants include indicators that reflect the intensity of adjustment and assimilation of migrants into the city. A Composite Index has been constructed to analyze this phenomenon. The findings indicate that, apart from employment, cultural and social integration of migrants in the city is low. Migrants from far off have higher economic integration but low cultural and social integration. Further, there is higher incidence of horizontal social mobility rather than vertical.