Caritas India triggered a discussion to build a better future for the migrants and offer peace and dignity to all.

A webinar was hosted on 26th October 2022 to commemorate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) and honour the role of migrants for their valuable contribution to the development of our society. The platform has recognised, the humungous efforts of the migrants and refugees who bring along with them varied skills and experiences that would create an enabling environment for the country for development and nation-building.

The church has been commemorating World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. The day aims to raise awareness and honour people who have been forced to flee their homes, people who have escaped conflict, seen adversity, and, against all odds, forged their way to find greener pastures in places far away from their homes. 

“Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees” is the theme the Holy Father chose for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR). Pope Francis highlights the commitment that we are all called to share in building a future that embraces God’s plan, leaving no one behind. 

“This event is of great significance, especially at a time when we are witnessing many conflicts, civil unrest, natural disasters, health pandemics, abuse, human right violation, and loss of many innocent lives,” shared Dr Meera Sethi, Global Migration Policy Advisor and Former Envoy of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). She added, “against such a scenario it is extremely important to highlight the needs and aspirations of the migrants all over the world especially of India.”

She gave an overview of the national scenario on migration, highlighting the issues, policy gaps, contributions toward the economy and way forward. Dr Meera highlighted that India has an Interstate Migrants Act 1979, but unfortunately, migrants are not aware of this, and no contractors or employers follow the spirit of this Act to give some basic wages. She stated that there is no equitable approach when it comes to migrants and refugees.

She concluded by saying that “Mobility we cannot stop but we can only manage it, whether it is internal or international, it is indeed an effective tool for development to fight poverty only when appropriate policies are developed and migrants and refugees are protected from abuse and exploitation.” 

Migrant workers contributing to various sectors of the economy put their voices in the webinar that depicted the ground reality of living and working conditions. The experiences of anguish, sorrow, anger, and resentment portrayed a clear picture of their life challenges and helplessness. Their struggle with low wages, physical and sexual exploitations, poor living conditions and unwelcoming treatment at the destination states were some of the points highlighted during the webinar. 

Mr Ghanshyam Jethwa, Head of Programs, Caritas India, expressed various aspects and dimensions of migration while underlying factors of migration. He said that migration happens by choice but most of the time when migration happens by force usually leads to unsafe movement.

He reflected on India and the global picture saying, “There are 31 crores internal migrants in India, which means 30% population of India are migrants at a given time and interestingly it is found that 70% are female migrants” and he stated that 8 million people are displaced or migrated globally as per the report of UNHCR. He raised a point on SDG 2030 that recognises migrant’s contribution and focused on making migration safe. 

Ms Babita, Chief Program Lead, Caritas India expressed her profound gratitude to all participants. She added to Dr Meera Sethi, saying that despite various provisions available for migrants but unfortunately, we are unable to make it available on the ground. Therefore, creating a sensitization network among civil society organisations and government is one of the entry points which could be done in small approaches. Also, the struggles of migrant workers towards their well-being and adhering to our commitment at all levels should be our takeaway. She also added that it is very important to have a national policy and research could be done to determine how these migrants are internally displaced and their contribution to nation building and what are necessary gaps that will help in making the foundation of developing the national policy. 

Ms Suparna shared the highlight of the Caritas India nationwide campaign which rolled out on the 16th of September to register both potential and interstate migrants in the government’s social security schemes and other entitlements. The campaign is running under the Pravasi Bandhu Program for migrant communities in 8 targeted States Rajasthan, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Goa and Gujarat.