Ethnicity, Mobility and Role of Informal Channels: Evidence from Delhi Slums

Abstract

This study has focused on the well-being of the migrants and explored the role of informal channels among different ethnic groups and its effect on upward mobility. This was made possible by conducting primary surveys in the slums of Delhi. It was found that the extent of upward income movement seems to exceed the downward income movement though the cases of stagnancy and downward occupational mobility aren’t to be ignored.  We concluded that evidences in favour of upward mobility are not overwhelming but it would be equally erroneous to overlook the change that has occurred. With regard to the role of informal channels, we   found that in the initial stages while entering the urban labour market, close relatives (from their regional background) matter a lot but subsequently, it is individual inspiration that keeps him going in the labour market.