Key findings of the State level research study on Migration were made public in Salem on 27th June 2023 in the presence of Government functionaries (Mrs. Krishna Veni, Asst. Labour Commissioner, and Mr. Murganatham, Labour Inspector), NGOs working in the field of migration, migrant community and 15 HIV+ migrants who were identified during the implementation of the project.

The study was commissioned under Caritas India’s Jeevan Nirman program in Tamil Nadu to understand the dynamics of migration in the State and the socio-economic condition of migrants.

Jeevan Nirman works with migrant communities in three States, two of which are source States, namely, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, and one destination State, Tamil Nadu. The goal of the program is to ensure decent living and working conditions for migrants and promote their social protection and social security through awareness, skill development, employment, access to services, and referrals.

During the event, the Labour Inspector, Mr. Murganatham shared insights on the rights of migrants and the laws supporting them. The NGOs working in the field of migration also presented their work. DSSS Director, Fr. David also highlighted the importance of providing safety measures for the protection of migrants.

The research consultant, Dr Balwant Singh Mehta shared glimpses of the recently concluded research on the socio-economic condition of migrants that brought to light their appalling circumstances and paved the way for informed program activities in the near future focusing on the data on migrants’ demographics, migration patterns, access to Government schemes, skills and socio-economic condition which is crucial for targeted interventions and policies to safeguard their interest.

The migrant persons living with HIV (PLHIV) were invited to the event and provided with health kits containing nutritional supplies (each kit worth Rs. 3000/-). Some PLHIV consented to share their ordeal and the challenges they faced after their HIV status was known. Many were abandoned by their families and were left alone to fend for themselves.

The event was conducted under the guidance of Ms. Parul Sharma, Thematic Lead-Migration, Caritas India who was present and provided all the necessary support to make the event successful. Mr. Jerome Selvaraj, Program Associate of Jeevan Nirman organized the event locally with support from Community Educators and staff of DSSS partner – Salem Social Service Society.

The event helped bring together all the stakeholders on one platform and discuss the possible future course in a consultative manner focusing on shared responsibility to the cause of migrants in the State of Tamil Nadu.