Migration was here to stay and there was a need to find ways to deal with it, while engaging those left behind in a productive manner. This was the underlying theme that came up for discussion at a function organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) here on Friday to mark the International Day of Family.
Speaking on the theme of impact of migration on the families on the occasion, Prof Amitabh Kundu said that the impact of migration on the younger children and the elderly left behind was not properly being researched yet.
He added that innovative ways would have to be found to engage these people in a productive and dignified manner.
Nesim Tumkaya of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that migrants should not be treated like criminals or nuisance elements. “They were productive people adding significantly to the economy of the place where they have migrated to,” said Mr Tumkaya. He added that there was a need to deal with the members of the family, who are left behind, within the ambit of the human rights.
Dr Indu Agnihotri of Centre for Women’s Development Studies pointed out that the women’s experiences during migration were missing from the entire narrative of the subject and this aspect needed to be dealt with in detail.
The function, organised by the UNFPA, UNIC and Development, Welfare and Research Foundation, also saw a documentary Children of Nomads being screened. The film highlighted how migrant children were considered habitual offenders from birth.
Incidentally, India has neither signed nor ratified the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families.
Ramya Subramaniam, social policy specialist from Unicef, pointed out that the issue of child labour in relation to migration was still a neglected subject and there was a need to look deep into it as it involved several complexities.