96% of migrants from northeastern states feel safe in Bengaluru: Study

Amid allegations of discrimination against outsiders in Bengaluru based on language, a research by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) has revealed that 96% of migrant workers from the northeast feel safe in the city and hailed Bengaluru as a migrant friendly city.

Bengaluru: Amid allegations of discrimination against outsiders in Bengaluru based on language, a research by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) has revealed that 96% of migrant workers from the northeast feel safe in the city and praised Bengaluru as a migrant friendly city.

The research, which focused on documenting the issues, challenges and coping strategies of northeastern migrants in Bengaluru, included a detailed survey of 796 migrants from various northeastern states.

The migrants opined that Bengaluru provides ample opportunities for jobs along with good climate, friendly and accommodative people. They also noted that the city was safe and provided a secure environment for those from the northeast with acceptance of migrants, less discrimination, and less racism. Many of them also expressed their satisfaction with respect to work culture, safety, easy access and good food.

The research also showed that many of these migrants, especially women, preferred to settle down in Bengaluru. The research titled 'Gender and identity: With reference to the North-Eastern migrants in Bengaluru' has been authored by Dr Channamma Kambara and Dr Malini L Tantri from ISEC.

However, close to 28% of the migrants said that they faced subtle discrimination at work which was mostly on the basis of language, pay, gender bias and religion. 

"Nonetheless, the migrants also attend various cultural, social and festive events where they are not discriminated except that the migrants cannot follow the language and culture," the research said.

Even as conflicts between the various tribes in the northeast are making headlines, the research also revealed that the majority of the migrants from different northeastern tribes in Bengaluru are staying harmoniously, extending cooperation and support to each other.

The diversity of tribes means differences among tribes in many aspects which percolate in the society deeply. However, unlike their native place, migrants from different northeastern tribes in Bengaluru are staying harmoniously, extending cooperation to the other migrants. More than half of the respondents (52%) feel that there is more unity among the northeastern members in Bengaluru than in their native place," the research noted.