The Hindu : National : Don't create artificial barriers to migration: Ahamed

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Sunday, Sep 17, 2006
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Don't create artificial barriers to migration: Ahamed

Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Developed counties will benefit from "greater openness" in allowing migration across national frontiers, says Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed. "In the context of globalisation there is need to recognise the inevitability of international migration. This presents challenges and opportunities, including the increased demand for specialists in developed countries to strengthen their international competitiveness. In fact, the World Bank's Global Economic Prospects 2006 notes that a rise in migration from developing countries raises incomes of natives in high-income countries." Mr. Ahamed was participating in a high-level dialogue on migration and development at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

Legitimate needs

High-income countries, he said, must address the legitimate needs of migrants, including receiving back their pension benefits and social security contributions, especially in cases of short-duration migration.

"The lack of appropriate or matching structures in the country of origin should not be made an excuse for the denial of a migrant's legitimate pension benefits. Efforts, especially in the case of short-duration migrants, also need to be made to reduce the cost of remittances." India was a major country of origin, destination and transit of migrants, with a long history of attracting and sending people to other lands.

"It is estimated that around 20 million people of Indian origin live in other countries, while another 20 million migrants including a large number of irregular migrants are in India today."

Pointing out there was no restriction in India on people migrating overseas, Mr. Ahamed said New Delhi favoured a regular, non-discriminatory and orderly process, whether for permanent or short-term migration.

"In this context, artificial barriers to migration by high-income countries should not be created, and receiving as well as sending countries should act to reinforce the positives from migration and work together in a cooperative atmosphere while being sensitive to each other's concerns." Referring to irregular migration, Mr. Ahamed said this problem had serious security implications, including the use of irregular migrants as an instrument for cross-border terrorism and for creating social tensions in the host country.

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