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The study aims to reframe migrant workers as living infrastructure, integral to construction management and urban policy.

January 26, 2026Journal of Real Estate Construction & Management

Migrant Workers as Living Infrastructure: A Novel Policy Lens for Real Estate and Construction Management

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The study aims to reframe migrant workers as living infrastructure, integral to construction management and urban policy.
Mixed-method empirical design conducted from 2020 to 2024
Data collection from six major urban construction projects in India and the Gulf region
Semi-structured interviews with 120 migrant workers, 20 contractors, and 10 policymakers
Documentary analysis of labour codes, housing schemes, and digital welfare platforms
Fragmented governance and weak enforcement undermine labour protections.
Construction relies on informal housing and multilayered subcontracting, externalizing welfare costs.
Digital registration platforms selectively exclude highly mobile workers, leading to workforce instability.

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This research demonstrates how integrating worker welfare can enhance project delivery in urban contexts, suggesting a shift in policy focus.

Ray et al. (2026) studied this question.

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This research demonstrates how integrating worker welfare can enhance project delivery in urban contexts, suggesting a shift in policy focus.