Migrant women workers and livelihoods- a mixed methods study from areas of Delhi-NCR

Purpose Migrant women workers, making up a sizable portion of the working population, are mostly at risk of experiencing violations of their human and labour rights. The purpose of this study was to conduct a sustainable livelihood framework (SLF)-based analysis of migrant women workers to analyse their circumstances in selected locations within Delhi-NCR. This involves a comprehensive examination of the key components of the SLF, namely, human, social, physical and financial capital. Design/methodology/approach The analysis considers how these capitals interplay with the livelihood strategies and outcomes of migrant women workers. Focus group discussions have been conducted to provide a qualitative dimension to the research. It elucidates the perspectives, experiences and insights gathered through these discussions, offering a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by migrant women workers in the study region. Findings Attention is paid to the vulnerability context and resilience mechanisms employed by migrant women workers, providing a robust theoretical foundation for understanding the complexities of their livelihoods. Their agency in navigating challenges and leveraging available resources is explored, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the sustainable livelihoods approach in the context of migration. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the pioneer studies deploying SLF-based analysis to examine the conditions of migrant women workers. The framework provided in this study, highlighting the opportunities as well as implications for the upliftment of the migrant women workers, hold crucial significance for the practitioners and academics.