Caritas India, in collaboration with partners in Delhi, hosted a national event on December 18, 2022, to commemorate International Migrants Day at Archbishop House, Yusuf Sadan.

The day served as a forum for reflection and mutual learning on Safety, Dignity, and Access for migrants and emerging challenges. It also aimed to raise awareness of the struggles and obstacles faced by migrants, promote cooperation and collective action, and recognise migrants’ efforts, contributions, and rights.

The event was presided over by the Indian Government’s Cabinet Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri John Barla. He highlighted various governmental schemes rolled out by the central government for the betterment of migrant communities and people in the unorganised sector. He mentioned the need of promoting such schemes meant for communities that they are unaware of which then leads to the underutilization of government funds dedicated to such causes.

He recommended people in the unorganised and informal sector speak in a collective voice while simultaneously assuring full support for their cause as a cabinet minister.

In India, the high economic disparity between urban and rural regions as well as limited opportunities in rural areas has increasingly pushed the labour force to move to urban areas, which are the primary epicentres of growth. Seasonal migration for work is a pervasive reality in rural India. An overwhelming 120 million people or more are estimated to migrate from rural areas to urban labour markets, industries, and farms annually. Areas facing unresolved social or political conflicts also become prone to high out-migration. Poverty and lack of local employment opportunities act as a catalyst for migration from rural areas.

He appreciated Caritas India for its commendable work for the downtrodden and encouraged the organisation to continue pursuing its humanitarian objectives.

The event also saw the launching of Caritas India’s national campaign, “Suchit Pravasi, Surakshit Nivasi”, (Informed Migrant, Protected Resident) which was unveiled by Honourable Minister Shri John Barla. The objectives of the campaign were later delivered by Mr. Subhash Bhatnagar, Director and Founder of Nirmana,  followed by the official launch and inauguration of the national campaign. On the same day, a campaign on “Save the BOCW Board “Demand of Comprehensive Legislation for Domestic Workers” was launched by Nirmana. Migrant workers credited for their significant contributions to the economy were also facilitated at the event. Among those was Ms Maxima from Jharkhand, previously working as a domestic worker and working as a staff member while also educating her nephews and niece. Mr Syed Sultan Ahmed, Specialist Workers Initiatives, delivered a speech on worker collectivisation, bringing an international perspective and stating that migrants face similar challenges and problems in terms of wages. To address the issues of the unorganised sector policy level intervention must be considered.

Ms Babita Pinto, Chief of Programmes, Caritas India spoke about various government schemes that benefit workers, and how we need to raise awareness amongst ourselves so that collective actions can help us get those benefits. Caritas India’s Pravasi Bandhu could assist migrants in skill development, connecting them with employment, and financial inclusion opportunities, ensuring identity card, and registration, creating a database for rights and entitlements, and so on. The day concluded with recognition of volunteers who had worked extensively with migrants and participated in various programme initiatives.

In Coimbatore, Jeevan Nirman (Rebuilding Lives) programme also commemorated International Migrants Day in Malumichampatty village with migrants from West Bengal. Village Panchayat Union members and district counsellors attended the event along with 100 participants.

Jeevan Nirman works with the migrant communities of two source states, namely, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and one destination state,-Tamil Nadu to ensure decent living and working conditions for migrants and assist them in building their lives. The programme promotes social protection and social security for migrant workers through awareness, skill development, employment, access to services and referrals.

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is facing a crisis in terms of excessive mobile population as well as frequent migrants from other states of the country. The lack of basic infrastructure facilities, such as roads, drinking water, recreational areas, and adequate housing for migrant workers, adds to the difficulties faced by the workforce in most of the small and medium knitting, stitching, packing, compacting, dyeing, and bleaching units in this region, which already endure harsh working conditions. Migrant workers’ wages and expenditures are gravely imbalanced, so often that they fall into debt. Expenses like children’s education, moving homes frequently owing to rising rent, paying for water during the summer, paying rent during slow clothing production seasons, and paying for medical bills all contribute to the many challenges faced by the community. Also, the enrolment rates of migrant workers under the ESI scheme is very low compared to the regular workers from the same city.

The programme aimed to educate migrants on “Safe Migration” migrating to Coimbatore for a better life. To secure this objective the migrants were made aware of a host of benefits and entitlements to be lead an empowered life, this included:

1. Safe migration and its importance.
2. Purpose of document registration.
3. Benefits of E-sharam.
4. Importance of education for children.
5. Importance of carrying a balanced healthy life.

The gathering was utilized to pre plan for the field work including getting permissions and approvals from the Panchayat members for organizing the event. Volunteers and targeted community were also mobilized through the programme.

To encourage Safe Migration practices among people, agent Abdul Gazi was awarded “Safe Migrant” title. Gazi for the last 15 years successfully enrolled people through proper identities and legal registration prompting him to start his own company where he employs more than 300 migrant workers.

Overall, the event motivated the timid migrants to come forward with their queries for registration and education for which they can be supported. This event disseminated awareness of safe and secure migration to the satisfaction of the attendees.