Delegates of the 6th General Forum Meeting of the Migrant Forum Asia (MFA) — a network of over 290 organisations, comprising NGOs, trade unions and grass roots migration organisations, from 15 countries — called upon the Indian government to develop a migration policy with a human rights approach. They emphasised that the government should establish a process of registration of migrants, use the remittances for community based development initiatives and establish a migrant helpline. The three-day meeting of the MFA concluded on 22 December 2008 in New Delhi.

The Indian government is in the process of drafting a migration policy. However, its current focus on the movement of labour without rights is narrow. The meeting called upon the Government of India to widen its focus and make the process more consultative, involving more migrants and their families.

The meeting emphasised that for a sustained peace process in South Asia, the South Asian governments should work towards a visa-free regime in South Asia and compulsory work permits should be granted. The meeting also pointed out that the 1990 UN Convention on the Protection Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families still remains to be ratified by most countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

According to the World Bank`s Report on remittances, India in 2007-08 alone received $ 27 billion from migrants. Whereas there are a series of existing government schemes such as the Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna, its implementation remains weak. The meeting called upon the Indian government to strengthen the existing schemes and introduce new schemes, including the proposed Overseas Workers` Welfare Fund.

Around 60 delegates from 15 countries participated in the meeting and shared their experiences in advocating the rights of migrant workers and discussed on how to strengthen strategies. Participants gave interesting insights into the problems of migrant workers. A delegate from Israel, Nirit Ben-Ari, noted that migrant workers, who come to Israel, largely work in three sectors, namely, agriculture, construction and care giving. Indians are mostly engaged in care giving. They have to pay a huge illegal brokerage fee – up to $ 8000 and yet do not get jobs and are deported.

The meeting passed 15 resolutions, including one on pursuing comprehensive, rights-based social protection approach in Asian countries; on supporting organisations of migrants and encouraging them to join mainstream workers` organisations; on strengthening the engagement with organisations in West Asia; and on responding to the formulation of migration policies. The meeting also decided to develop programmes for campaign and advocacy on the impact of the global economic crisis and migrants.

“Increasing security concerns should not lead to the denial of basic human rights of migrant workers,” noted J John, Executive Director, Centre for Education and Communication, a member of MFA and the host organisation in India. He further stressed, “India`s moral authority in negotiating the right for rights of Indian workers abroad can only be strengthened if India also ensures the protection and rights of foreign workers on Indian soil.”

“The migration policy is changing the concept of migration, which is becoming more circular and in which people can be traded for the services they provide. Little protection for labour or human rights exists. In this situation, it becomes crucial for organisations across Asia to share strategies and develop common programmes for advancing the rights of migrant workers,” noted William Gois, Regional Coordinator, MFA. The delegates from the General Forum met the Minister of Overseas Affairs on 22 December 2008 and submitted the statement of the General Forum.