Indian consultation on safe migration - NDWM

National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM), with the support of WSM, organised a National Consultation on Safe Migration in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India on 4 Nov. 2019
to discuss the rights of overseas migrants and safe-guard them from fake agents and agencies. It aimed to work as a collective body of volunteers, gathering victimised volunteering migrants, trade unions, NGOs, social workers and representatives from government.

The welcome speech and Dynamics of the Consultation & Self- introduction of Participants were carried out by Sr. Valarmathi, ICM State Coordinator NDWM. The first session was facilitated by Mr. Dinesh Ponraj Oliver I.A.S Director Non-Resident Tamil, Government of Tamilnadu. He spoke about the issues faced by migrants, the role of Tamilnadu Government and its challenges. He also elaborated on the legislation and working hours in migrant countries, the inhuman treatment endured in Gulf countries, the abuse of Tamil migrant women in foreign countries, which are the three main challenges currently. In destination countries, medical treatment is costly. For migrants, TN Govt assists by ambulance services for the sick from the airport to hospital and to other places in Tamilnadu. In case of death, the TN government brings back the remains of migrant, for which he also stated the importance of the board and the need for a single department for the welfare of overseas migrants. By 2020, they are planning to open the welfare board. He also listed the fact that 90 % of migrants come back safe but it remains that 10% people face of a lot of challenges.

The second session focused on an overview of the new draft immigration act 2018 and its challenges, which was given by Dr. Bernard D’ Sami LISSTAR, Loyola College, Chennai. He spoke about the bill and its Global level management and development in migration. He also stated that the bill defends a Triple WIN concept. He explained the Emigration Management Authority: central govt. is framing rules to ensure overall welfare and protection of emigrants and also to provide policy guidance, undertaking comprehensive review and stocktaking on emigration management. Under EMA, one Joint secretary would be responsible for all emigration issues.

He detailed the duties and functions of RAs: comprehensive welfare of emigrants and their empowerment Welfare and protection: insurance, pre- departure orientation, skill up gradation, legal assistance, migrant resource centres, help desks, migration and mobility partnerships, labour and manpower corporation Offences and Penalties: human trafficking, illegal recruitment, illicit trafficking of drugs, harbouring offenders. The bill proposes to provide stringent punishment to offenders, with definitions drafted in consultation with stakeholders. He also highlighted that the third largest political party DMK, which has 37 Members of Parliament, which can raise questions about the migrants in parliament.

Mr. P.K. Ashok Babu I.F.S, Regional Passport Officer from the Ministry of External Affairs spoke on the Support system available in destination countries. He explained about the madad portal, where the victim can file cases for themselves or others. Also NGOs can file a case if they have the full details of the victim, and then forward the complaint to CM/PM with reference to Madad portal application number. He also explained the ICWF Indian Community Welfare Fund. The population in Gulf countries and the percentage of Indian migrants is higher in Gulf countries. A major issue is the passport loss of migrants, which however should not prevent the migrant from contacting the embassy. He also stated that many migrants commit suicide if they have lost their passport. He requests the volunteers to spread awareness and to ensure the victimised migrant that they can collect new passports at any time by following the govt. process during crisis. Migrants should be aware of the rules and regulations, know the address where they work and the embassy address.

Awareness on Vigilance week and Procedures and roles of registered recruiting agents for safe migration was explained by Mrs. Sumathi Vasudev, Protector of Emigrants, and Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Integrity is a way of life, and she insisted everyone should adhere to this. She continued by explaining the roles of registered agents in employment purpose. A foreign employer can only employ people through a a registered agent and this is monitored by POEs in 10 states. The procedure involves a demand letter from the foreign company, which is uploaded electronically. For the recruitment of Domestic Sector Workers and Nurses, it requires an individual contract between the foreign employer and the migrant, which is also electronically uploaded with the clearance. She emphasized the importance regular migration, only through proper agents. The nearest police station number and address must be known by the domestic worker. She requested the volunteers and NGOs to send any fake advertisements to her with photographs.

CONCLUSION
Various demands were put forward to the officials: the Representatives from various Non profit organisations, Trade unions and social activists agreed to work together to form a network. Public hearing has been planned as next activity, and the network has agreed to follow-up the instructions on awareness raising as suggested by the representatives. They will also lobby and advocacy regarding the upcoming Migrant bill, with the help of network groups formed in the National consultation. They will also effectively demand from the new draft immigration act 2018, consolidated demand on Airport Migrant point for migrant information sharing. Ambulance services can be better organized and the process of collecting remains can be facilitated. A major demand consists of sensitizing the Tamilnadu police regarding filing FIR against Fake agents and to accept complaints from migrants victims. They also planned to address fake agencies, and foreign job offer Ads to POE, to form a migrant welfare board in Tamilnadu and to support the board. Lastly, they plan to advocate for the ratification of ILO conventions by India.