What are the financial barriers preventing migrant workers from voting?

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Financial Barriers Hindering Migrant Workers from Voting

Migrant workers in India face significant financial obstacles that prevent them from exercising their right to vote. The primary barrier is the loss of daily wages, which are crucial for their survival, coupled with the costs associated with travel back to their home constituencies. For many, the economic sacrifice required to vote outweighs the perceived benefits, leading to a de facto disenfranchisement.
Loss of Income from Unpaid Leave

The daily earnings of migrant labourers, such as Shafiq Ansari who earns approximately 600 rupees (RM34.3) per day, represent their immediate livelihood. Taking time off to travel and vote, which can extend to two days, directly translates into a loss of at least 4,000 rupees in wages. This financial strain is particularly acute for workers in cities like Noida, where they can earn up to 24,000 rupees a month, making any disruption to their work schedule a substantial economic blow.
Prohibitive Travel Expenses

Beyond lost wages, the cost of travel to their native places is another significant deterrent. This includes not only the expense of transportation, which can be considerable given the distances many migrant workers travel from urban centres to their home states, but also the expectation of bringing gifts for family members. These combined expenses make the act of voting a costly endeavour that many cannot afford.
Fear of Job Loss and Wage Theft

Compounding the financial concerns is the apprehension of losing their jobs or facing wage theft when they take leave to vote. Some employers may not grant paid leave, and the fear of repercussions or unfair dismissal deters workers from requesting time off. This precarious employment situation means that even if a worker could theoretically afford the direct costs, the risk to their ongoing employment and income stream is a powerful disincentive.
Limited Affordability for Most

Consequently, only a small fraction of surveyed migrant workers could afford to vote. This group typically consisted of those whose hometowns were geographically closer, thus minimizing both travel time and associated costs. For the majority, the expenditure of a day's wage and minimal travel is already a barrier, highlighting how the current electoral system places an undue financial burden on its most vulnerable voters.

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What are the financial barriers preventing migrant workers from voting?

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