Abstract

This article examines the functioning of social networks, with a specific focus on how caste- and village-level affiliations shape the formation and operation of migrant networks. Drawing on primary data collected from Bihari migrants working across three municipalities in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, and employing the theoretical framework of cumulative causation proposed by Massey, this study highlights the crucial role of caste- and village-level connections in shaping migrant networks, which, in turn, facilitates their access to employment opportunities. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the study combines 296 structured interviews with thirty-six in-depth interviews, thus ensuring both quantitative breadth and qualitative depth. It provides an in-depth examination of the intricate functioning of village-caste networks across both their points of origin and destination, thus offering a comprehensive understanding of their operational framework. The study further explores how village-caste networks simultaneously function as enabling and constraining mechanisms for migrant workers. It also illustrates how village-caste networks assist migrants in adapting to the new environment and acquiring job-related skills. The role of village-caste networks in regulating, surveilling, and disciplining migrant workers, as well as the intricate involvement of migrant contractors in shaping and sustaining these networks, has also been examined in the study.