Careers with Migrants

Ranjan K Baruah *

People move from one place to another in search of better jobs and employment. We have seen that people migrate from their home locations to other places for better livelihood options. Migration may be domestic or international. A broad range of factors continue to determine the movement of people.

They are either voluntary or forced movements as a result of the increased magnitude and frequency of disasters, economic challenges and extreme poverty or conflict. Approximately 281 million people were international migrants in 2020, representing 3.6 per cent of the global population.

All these will significantly affect the characteristics and scale of migration in the future and determine the strategies and policies countries must develop in order to harness the potential of migration while ensuring the fundamental human rights of migrants are protected. Migrants contribute with their knowledge, networks, and skills to build stronger, more resilient communities.

The global social and economic landscape can be shaped through impactful decisions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by global mobility and people on the move. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) offers the opportunity and guidance to actualize human mobility and seize the opportunities it presents.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has assisted millions of migrants since it emerged 70 years ago to assist the vast number of Europeans displaced by the Second World War and continues to lead the way in promoting a humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including the communities of origin, transit and destination.

There are many civil society organisation and nongovernmental organisation in India which work for and with migrant workers.

The importance of migrants and their contribution is known to all and on 4 December 2000, the General Assembly of the United Nations, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18th December International Migrants Day (A/RES/55/93).

On that day, in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (A/RES/45/158).

Migrant workers and families face challenges globally as well as in the country. There are opportunities for young people in India to work with the migrants on various issues.

Degrees in social work similar courses shall help individuals to get involved in the area. Students may also work in the area with a formal degree in social work but it is preferred to have degrees related to development studies or similar courses.

One may work in the field of migrants’ rights like health rights, employment rights, etc. For the children of the migrant families it is important that they are not left out from education and other similar rights.

There are NGOs in India who are working in metros or city areas with migrants from other parts of the country on various rights. Aspirants must be passionate and possess employability skills to work in the areas of migrants issues.