It was our privilege that the Hon’ble Prime Minister is presiding over this conference. But today we have a presiding spirit as well — you can see his photograph on the wall behind: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the second wave of liberation. Forty five years ago this land saw millions fleeing tyranny and taking shelter in my country. That year was one of deep pain and hope, as tyranny was defeated by the people. Our fathers’ generation saw its share of suffering. We have seen it, too. Why are we gathered here? For one reason — to ensure that the next generation does not suffer.
I had the opportunity to attend the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants held in New York on September 19, 2016, as the leader of the Indian delegation. The outcome of the summit was the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. This was the first time that issues related to migration, refugees and asylum were discussed at the highest level within the UN General Assembly.
I am glad that there was recognition at this high-level summit of the important difference between migration and refugee and asylum issues. We are here to take forward the process of developing separate Global Compact on Migration and on Refugees.
There is a well-known proverb in the English language: Charity begins at home. We come to this conference, with the hope that all of us can set an example by giving practical shape to shared idealism. India believes in “vasudheva kutumbakam” — the world is a family — a Vedic shloka that captures the essence of our philosophy. We believe in humanitarian values as the highest expression of individual and collective behaviour. Fortune and misfortune are the collateral aspects of cycles of human history. There are times when economic compulsions force people to leave the zones of kinship, culture and comfort to seek a better life elsewhere. Migration must not be confused with refugees; bracketing them is a disservice to both. If the problem is different, the solution cannot be the same. We need separate sets of policies, frameworks and procedures.
The latest migration-related data indicate that over 90 per cent of the 247 million people estimated to be living outside the country of their birth are economic migrants and only 10 per cent may be refugees or asylum seekers. Economic migration, contrary to some unfortunate commentary, is not a zero-sum situation; 35 per cent of them are highly skilled, who provide crucial support to growth of the global economy, particularly in the knowledge and innovation sectors. Economic migration is a natural outcome of an interconnected world, driven by global demand and supply in the labour market.
As per the McKinsey Global report, “People on the move: Global migrants impact and opportunity”, migrants contribute around 9.4 per cent of global gross domestic product, which amounts to an output of $ 6.7 trillion — $3 trillion more than what they might have produced in their countries of origin. If we see the element of productivity, migrants of all skill levels contribute to productivity effect in the top destination countries and so to global growth.
Studies indicate that economic migrants contribute positively to new business formation, innovation and job creation, which act as catalysts of growth for destination countries, in particular, and for the global economy in general they contribute above their weight. There is too much of focus on the problems associated with migration but too few solutions have been offered or agreed upon. We need to develop a more comprehensive and long-term vision for addressing the economic dimension of migration. This makes the Global Forum for Migration and Development an important platform for comprehensive and detailed deliberations towards developing the Global Compact on Migration.
We need to synergise this with Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, by which we have committed to cooperate for facilitating orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies, as indicated in Target 10.7; and to protect labour rights; and promote safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employments, as per Target 8.8. We cannot stress how important this is.
I suggest a nine-point protocol, in order to give a practical dimension to good intentions:
- Keep the migrant at the core of the agenda and develop programmes, tools and methodology to enhance the interests of migrants and their families while maintaining policy space for governments of destination, transit and origin;
- Focus on the economic dimension of migration and work towards eliminating barriers to economic migration;
- Create an environment for safe, orderly,regular, open and legal migration;
- Focus on recognition of skills and human mobility partnerships.
- Be gender-sensitive, provide equal opportunities to women and adopt non-discriminatory policies and practices;
- Include special provisions to take care of people in vulnerable situations and inclusion of persons with disabilities;
- Protect the human rights of migrants; identify vulnerabilities and stop exploitation and abuse;
- Reduce incidents and impact of irregular migration, including trafficking of people and migrant smuggling, as well as facilitating return and reintegration;
- Make provisions to respond to the situations of natural, man-made disasters and crises due to conflicts, as these have the potential to disrupt the migration phenomenon and disproportionately affect the interest of migrants.
Statement by M J Akbar, minister of state for external affairs at the 9th GFMD Summit Meeting, (Common Space: Compact for Governance of Migration), in Dhaka from December 10-12
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