Sansad TV Perspective: Human Migration: Reasons & Impact

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Human Migration: Reasons & Impact

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Participants:

  1. Rajeev Kher, Distinguished Fellow, RIS 
  2. V. Rajyalaxmi, Sociologist, University of Delhi 
  3. Shyam KG Parande, Nominated Expert, India Centre for Migration, MEA
  4. Prof. Cecil Foster, Dept. of Transnational Studies, University of Buffalo, New York

Context: 

The issue of human migration and mobility has been spanning ages with its prevalence and emerging complexities in societies across the globe. In a world where we measure and estimate poverty, gender equality, ease of doing business, hunger and developmental goals through various indices, the issue of migration remains a challenge to different variants of progress both nationally and internationally. This exerts focus on the need to scrutinize the entire issue of migration and head towards a society that exemplifies inclusion and caters to the basic necessity of every individual. 

The Background in Brief: 

  • The General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families in 1990 and proclaimed every 18th day of December to be remembered as the International Migrants Day
  • The International Migration and Development dialogue witnessed the participation of 132 member states and it was conducted by the General Assembly in 2006. 
  • The central theme of International Migrants Day, 2021 is “Harnessing the potential of human mobility” which aims to pay recognition to the contribution of migrant workers.
  • The foundation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) completed 70 years in December 2021 which was an outcome of the Brussels Conference.

Key messages of dialogue on international migration and development

Significance of Migration:

  • The migrants contribute with their knowledge, networks and skills to build stronger and resilient communities.
  • The socio-economic landscape can be shaped through the challenges and opportunities presented by global mobility and people on the move.
  • It is reported that 281 million people were migrants in 2020 representing 3.6% of the global population according to the World Migration Report released by the IOM every two years.
  • 11 out of 17 SDG s contain targets and indicators relevant to migration or mobility. This determines the contribution of migrants to the sustainable development agenda for 2030.

Read more about India and Migration in the linked article.

Factors of Migration:

  • Increased frequency of disasters
  • Voluntary or forced movement
  • Economic challenges
  • Socio-political issues
  • Extreme poverty or conflict
  • Better employment opportunities

Highlights of the Discussion:

  • The discussion features the migration scenario in India which is predominantly from rural areas to urban areas. The root cause of such migration has been pointed out as inadequacy in policy interventions and ineffectiveness of the existing policies for agriculture.
  • The informal migrants include agricultural workers who suffer huge losses due to uncertainty in climatic conditions and move to the cities for jobs.
  • The Indian diaspora in foreign countries forms a vibrant mass of migrants and contributes to the local community of the host country and its economy.
  • The safety net must effectively expand to look into the challenges of migrant workers in India through the effective implementation of the Social Security Code, 2020
  • The migrants contribute to the economic growth of the origin country through remittances. 

Challenges faced by migrants

Ways suggested to tackle the Issue of Migration:

  • It has been rightly pointed out by an expert that a majority of the population is unwilling to migrate and leave their comfort zones in search of better opportunities. This point was challenged by the fact that there exists a push and pull factor that significantly contributes to the migration of a huge mass of the population. 
  • The rise in economic nationalism will impact the mobility of people from one place to another as the availability of jobs in the region increases. Therefore, the majority of people will not migrate to other countries for jobs and opportunities as envisaged by the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
  • There is a feeling of “us and them” whenever there is a migration that leads to the formation of communities of migrants in the host country that continues with its cultural practices. This mitigates the issue of culture shock faced by a migrant in a foreign country. It is recommended that the social interests of the migrants (especially for semi-skilled labourers) must be protected by policy interventions through foreign embassies. For instance, a flexible immigration policy would ensure smooth entry and exit of the migrants that will benefit the economic and political refugees.

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

Perspective: Human Migration: Reasons & Impact:- Download PDF Here

Related Links
United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees UN Refugee Convention
Refugees in India European Refugee Crisis
Syrian Refugee Crisis Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA)

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