International Migrants day!

Migration a Global Issue...

‘Immigrant’ can refer to any foreign born person. As per IMO, a person who has moved across an international border whether voluntary or involuntary regardless of the person’s legal status is considered as an immigrant.

Some move in search of work, economic opportunities or to study others move to escape humanitarian crisis, natural disaster, political turmoil, human rights violations etc. In 2019, almost 272 people live in a country other than their country of birth; an estimated 38 million children were migrants constitute 48 percent of female migrants.

Around 31% migrants reside in Asia, 30% in Europe, in America 26%, in Africa 10% and 3% in Oceania (Source: Global Migration Data Portal) Most of the migrants have moved from developing to developed countries, playing a key role in population growth. Immigrants have greatly contributed in growth of labor force in majority of destination countries.

The International Organization for Migration IOM established in 1951 is the leading organization working on migration issues. In 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the

Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s core principle is to ‘leave no one behind,’ not even migrants 11 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain targets and indicators related to migrations. The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted a set of commitments by UN Members. It acknowledges the positive contribution of migrants and commits to protect their fundamental and human rights.

In recent years, immigration has become a major part of public debate and many of their concern are about the social and economic conditions, crime and terrorism in their country. A wave of anti-immigrant sentiments also emerged in many countries due to the deteriorating economic conditions.

In a survey in immigrant destination countries majority supports the deportation of people who are in their countries illegally. In a survey majority of people supported the deportation of people who are illegal migrants. Most of EU countries support deportation similarly in Russia, South Africa and Japan. In US about 46% support their deportation while other half opposes it.

Opinions also differs across groups within countries, most of the younger adults, people of higher education and income are likely to say immigrants make their country stronger with their skill and talent.

Sharing responsibility for survival migrants is an effective way as shown in history when 200,000 people poured into Austria during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956; responsibility to assist and resettle them was shared among 37 countries. By sharing responsibility migrants can become economic and cultural assets to the world.

Migration is a major factor for a more interrelated world; the movement of people across globe can reduce economic inequality and boost global productivity. Migrants with their knowledge, skills and labor can contribute to a countries economy; low skilled workers and migrant labors often form the foundation for construction, hospitality, agriculture and other less visible sectors of the economy. During the Covid-19 pandemic immigrants were declared as essential workers in many countries due to public-health crisis raged in 2020.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented global restrictions on international migration and mobility which could have long term consequences. These travel restrictions also lead to illegal and informal migration routes across globe.