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

Purpose Migrant workers constitute the backbone of real estate and construction sectors, yet remain marginal within public policy frameworks that prioritize physical assets over social systems. This article advances a novel conceptual framing of migrant labour as living infrastructure, arguing that workers’ housing, mobility and welfare are integral to project delivery, alongside land, materials and finance. Study Design/Methodology/Approach The study adopts a mixed-method empirical design conducted between 2020 and 2024, covering the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery period. Data were collected from six major urban construction projects in India and the Gulf region. Methods included semi-structured interviews with 120 migrant workers, 20 contractors and 10 policymakers, supplemented by documentary analysis of labour codes, housing schemes and digital welfare platforms. Findings The analysis reveals three persistent dynamics. First, fragmented governance and weak enforcement undermine labour protections. Second, construction systems rely structurally on informal housing and multilayered subcontracting that externalize welfare costs. Third, selective inclusion through digital registration platforms systematically excludes highly mobile workers. Together, these dynamics generate workforce instability, heighten compliance risks for firms and disrupt project timelines. Originality/Value The article contributes original theoretical value by reframing migrant workers as living infrastructure within construction management and urban policy scholarship, moving beyond narratives of precarity toward infrastructural citizenship. Research Limitations/Implications The study focuses on selected projects in India and the Gulf, limiting generalizability across regions. Future research could extend the framework to other labour-intensive sectors and comparative national contexts. Practical Implications Integrating worker welfare into project planning can improve workforce stability, regulatory compliance and delivery efficiency. Social Implications Recognizing migrant labour as living infrastructure supports more inclusive urban development and strengthens social sustainability in rapidly expanding cities.