This article constitutes an empirical socio-economic analysis based on a field study involving 1200 young unorganised workers found in the construction sector of the so-called tri-city of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The main aim of the study was to examine the reasons why and how these young people had come to work in this urban environment, how they live and spend their money and what they perceive as their major problems. Based on the findings, the article argues that Indian policy makers, with specific regard to the urban unorganised labour sector, should take more-adequate measures for the protection of human rights of such migrant workers. Copyright © 2009 SAGE Publications.

youth Migrant labour Internal migration Employment remittances human rights Urbanisation Push and pull factors Unorganised sector

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