Migration and Happiness: Perspectives from Bhubaneswar’s Migrant Construction Workers

The construction sector in India, driven significantly by migrant construction workers (MCWs), plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economic development. Despite their substantial contribution, there is a dearth of literature on the happiness of MCWs, who often face challenges such as irregular employment, financial instability, and poor living conditions. This chapter aims to address this gap by exploring various aspects of happiness among MCWs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The objectives include, (i) determining the mean happiness scores of MCWs in the construction industry in Bhubaneswar, (ii) investigating the factors contributing to their happiness, and (iii) analyzing how happiness varies among workers engaged in different types of construction activities. This chapter highlights the need for holistic interventions that address both workplace conditions and broader socio-economic factors to enhance the overall happiness of MCWs.