Bengaluru is the biggest destination for migrant workers in Karnataka. The South India Interstate Migration Survey 2026 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) has highlighted that the city accounts for 49% of the interstate migrant workers surveyed in the state, making it by far the largest migrant destination district in the state.

The other major destinations were Udupi (15%), Dakshina Kannada (12.5%), Tumakuru (8.5%), and Mysuru (5.8%).

However, Bengaluru, along with the rest of Karnataka, is also the most difficult destination for migrant workers in South India. Workers here face high levels of vulnerability across employment, housing, healthcare, and access to welfare schemes.

Karnataka recorded the highest Multidimensional Precarity Index among all the states surveyed. The findings showed that workers in the state faced high vulnerability

across all seven domains — welfare exclusion, housing deprivation, healthcare barriers, employment insecurity, social exclusion, financial stress, and food insecurity.

Moreover, migrant workers in Karnataka were also found to face the highest level of welfare exclusion in South India. The report surveyed 601 interstate migrant workers in Karnataka.

The vulnerability figures for scrap workers are particularly stark. The survey covered 300 scrap-collection workers in Karnataka and almost all of them, 97% or more, were found to face housing deprivation, healthcare barriers, welfare exclusion and employment insecurity. Nearly 99% of these workers faced healthcare barriers.

Experts working with informal scrap-collection workers in the city said the scenario is unfortunate, given that scrap workers form an important part of the informal recycling chain.

Since the occupation involves potentially hazardous working environments, healthcare barriers should be addressed by the authorities concerned, they said.

“The survey identifies occupational hazards, healthcare access, and weak social protection as interconnected vulnerabilities. The issue is that while there are certain schemes available, many scrap workers are not aware of them. Financial security through bank accounts, receiving wages digitally, insurance, and having a financial cushion during illness or loss of work are other aspects that require attention,” said a city-based expert.

While there are certain schemes available, many scrap workers are not aware of them. Financial security through bank accounts, receiving wages digitally, insurance, and having a financial cushion during illness or loss of work are other aspects that require attention

— Labour expert

They opined that the issues faced by this vulnerable group require multiple agencies to work together to address them.

However, the survey also underlines that 56.9% of the migrant workers intended to continue working in the destination state, while 71.8% said their living standards had improved after migration.

Karnataka offers migrant workers better livelihood opportunities, but its public systems have not kept pace with their needs.

The report has recommended that Karnataka prioritise welfare portability, housing, healthcare and basic services. The four areas the report explicitly identifies as Karnataka’s priorities are welfare portability, housing, healthcare and basic services, with special attention to scrap workers, women migrants, daily/footloose workers and others in highly informal employment.

“The migrant workers in the state need planned public services,” the expert added.