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Of backdoor entry
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Meera Dewan’s “Backstage Boys: Punjab’s Labour Goes Global” throws light on the vicious cycle of illegal immigration to the West
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In the globalised world, free flow of capital is a reality but when it comes to labour the same countries function in medieval ways. Meera Dewan’s “Backstage Boys: Punjab’s Labour Goes Global” brings the issue into focus. Co
mmissioned by PSBT, it reflects the impact of globalisation on the century-old tradition of immigration from Punjab to the West. Marginal Punjabi farmers, unable to survive on small land holdings, are lured by the promise of plenty abroad. Despite the increasingly tough immigration laws abroad, the inherent risks involved in illegal international travel, there is a constant stream of brave, adventurous and perhaps foolhardy young men to take chances. “The population in most European and American countries is not rising. They need farm labour as well as people to do the jobs of maids, janitors and the like. Indians provide cheap labour. As people who go by illegal means don’t ask for regular wages because of the constant fear of deportation.”
Still Dewan insists it makes a good bargain for these boys because the wages are higher in comparison to India, where they have no work, and the female members of the family can also contribute to the income. “My point is, when these countries need such labour why not make immigration laws simpler so that these boys can go legally. And the Indian Government should take cognisance of such labour as they are also contributing to the national income by sending the money back.”
She feels the focus is only on the professionals. “Every country has a different need and it keeps changing with time. For instance, in professional fields, once IT was high, today nurses are much in demand. In areas adjoining the West coast of Canada, people are migrating to cities so there is huge demand for farm labour. Indians fill the gap and work in sub-zero temperatures on strawberry farms.”
On the recent advertisement spree advising people to take emigration clearance before taking up a job abroad, Meera says this way the Government is trying to save itself from embarrassment at the diplomatic level. “They are not striking at the root of the problem.” The film also brings to the fore the network of agents who help these boys immigrate. “These agents work at different levels. Most of the time it starts from a relative.”
Murder charges
Meera tells the story of an agent who killed his family and tried to commit suicide. “It is not always that the prospective migrants are duped. Sometimes the sub agents take the money and forward it to the next level. But if the plan doesn’t work out it is the local guy who has to bear the brunt. This agent took the money but could not fulfil his promise. He and his family were threatened. So he with his wife decided to kill their children and then commit suicide. Incidentally, he survived and is now facing murder charges.”
The screening was the first of the monthly series organised by the PSBT and the Goethe-Institut featuring films from India and Germany.
ANUJ KUMAR
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