Our guest workers: Lonely, sleep deprived & displeased

A Study Done Among 1,554 Lays Bare The Hardships The Migrants Face After Tireless Work In Risky Circumstances For Long HoursKOCHI: From cooking dishes at our neighbourhood food joints to building roads, bridges and what not, migrant labourers — currently numbering around 34 lakh — have long been the backbone of our state’s labour sector.

A vast majority of them, who work overtime to feed hungry souls back home, however, struggle to get a decent sleep, face loneliness or pick up fights with others for reasons not known even to themselves.A study carried out among 1,554 migrant workers in the state for almost three years shows that 62% face sleep disturbances, 43% experience loneliness and 41% have anger issues. The study, ‘Effect of Social Institutional and Technological Interventions on Access to Healthcare Among Interstate Migrant Labourers in Kerala’ by MG University, unfolds the precarious health issues they face.

It was found that financial insecurity and staying away from families are two major factors causing stress among the workers.

The study, overseen by Dr Bijulal M V, found that a minimum of six people share a 250 sq ft room and cook food. The average space for a worker in the room is 8-10 sq ft, making living conditions extremely harsh for them.“The workers face mental health issues due to sleep disturbances, loneliness, overthinking and other factors.

They share small rooms with other workers, often leading to their sleep being disturbed. As they don’t have adequate space, workers are forced to speak over phones in the rooms at night. Even when one falls ill, they don’t have a separate space to rest. They also face issues with locals. Even after tireless work in risky circumstances for long hours, they don’t get an adequate wage, compounding their mental health crisis.

Women reported particularly high levels of stress in the study,” said MG University School of International Relations and Politics project associate Navas M Khader.Though most of them use smartphones, it was found that many were ignorant of govt healthcare benefits they are entitled to. Rising living costs and poor nutrition take a toll on their health. They rely on home remedies and over-the counter drugs to alleviate health issues as awareness of preventive care is largely low.Married women and family members have limited use of smartphones. Many women have access to husbands’ phone for a limited period only.“Only 4 lakh workers have been registered in the labour department’s Athidhi portal till June 2025, whereas the projected number of workers in the state is around 34 lakh. The registered workers are entitled to avail of Rs 25,000 when he or she gets injured during work and Rs 2 lakh in case of death. The registration will increase only when the state makes it mandatory, which will benefit the workers as well. As per RTI, 173 migrants died in harness between 2014 and May 21, 2025, in Kerala,” said Navas.The study puts forward a slew of interventions by the state govt to improve the migrants’ living conditions and healthcare access.