Migration as Compulsion, Networks as Lifelines: A Socio economic Study of Odia Workers in The Honda Industrial Estate of Goa

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-economic dynamics of Odia migrant workers employed in Honda Industrial Estate, Goa, exploring how migration shapes their livelihoods and adaptation experiences through analytical lens of Social Network theory (SNT). The research is guided by two core objectives: identifying key push-pull factors influencing migration and assessing subsequent socio-economic and cultural changes. Using a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation with 15 Odia workers, the study reveals that migration is primarily driven by structural push factors such as rural unemployment, agrarian stagnation, and climate-induced distress; while being facilitated by social networks. Pull factors include higher wages (₹15,000 - ₹35,000 vs. ₹300/day), industrial growth, and perceived social tolerance in Goa; though recruitment through contractors creates dependency relationships emphasizing structural holes. The findings reveal a fundamental paradox: while migrants experience economic gains and maintain cultural identity, their employment remains informal and structurally vulnerable. Socially, adaptation occurs within closed community networks characterized by strong ties, with limited integration into local Goan society. The study concludes that migration serves as a survival strategy rather than a vehicle for upward mobility, emphasizing the need for inclusive labour policies and migrant welfare mechanisms in semi-industrial regions like Goa.