Migration of mankind is not a new phenomenon. People have been displaced and migrated for many social, political, economic, and disaster-related reasons since time immemorial. This article aims at shedding light on migration involving politics, economy and humanitarian aspects.
Politics often forms the crux of migration. An inimical political climate leads to the eviction of a large section of population from a country, thereby giving rise to refugees.
There are approximately 192 million people residing outside their birth country. A majority of them are migrant workers that make up three percent of the world population. Over the past few decades, the topic of migration has been debated. It is now well established through numerous studies that migration is a long-term issue with uneven and unpredictable outcomes. There may not be a feasible solution as it concerns with the movement of people and has deep fiscal and cultural consequences on preference for redistribution of resources.
Migration and politics
Politics often forms the crux of migration. An inimical political climate leads to the eviction of a large section of population from a country, thereby giving rise to refugees. Nepal has a long experience of hosting Tibetan as well as Bhutanese refugees. It depends on the policy of a country whether to take in migrants or tighten its border in restraining the entry of migrants. A political party while at the helm of power may encourage the entry of migrants to boost its vote bank. For example, the USA, in particular, has absorbed unprecedented waves of immigrants. It is held that naturalized immigrants vote predominantly for the Democratic Party. Countries like the USA and Canada are known for absorbing a large number of migrants.
However, host countries do have problems with incorporating migrants. That is because host population tends to feel strongly that reluctance on part of the immigrants in assimilating into their society puts their cultural traits and norms on the verge of collapse.
USA as a country built by immigrants from Britain and European countries had the policy of facilitating the entry of migrants from different parts of the country. Its Diversity Visa Lottery program is another glowing example of the US policy into inviting migrants in its land. The USA for a long time was determined into developing a multicultural society resembling a mini world resided by the people of all colors and ethnicity.
However, in the past few years the whites in the USA have begun to feel insecure thanks to the growing influence of its oriental and African population in the job market. Hence, violence related to racism have surfaced threatening the peace and security of the country.
Some countries hugely rely on migrant workers. For example, over 90 percent of workforce in Qatar comprises migrants and the migrants far out-number its own population which is merely around 30 percent compared to the migrants.
Migration as the engine of economy
Push and pull factors form one of the governing principles of migration. With the aid of improved and cheap means of transportation and remittance flow mechanism, migration for work is ever increasing. Nepal itself is an example given the fact that contribution of remittance to the country’s GDP has remained 25 to 30 percent for the past couple of years.
Some countries hugely rely on migrant workers. For example, over 90 percent of workforce in Qatar comprises migrants and the migrants far out-number its own population which is merely around 30 percent compared to the migrants.
Japan, one of the greatest economies in the world, has no more option than to count on migrant workers in the near future thanks to its aging population. Japan, as of now,had been relying on South Korean and Chinese population as part of its work force as these people to some extent share common cultural pattern. But now, Japan is mulling over opening its door to migrants from other countries as well. Hence, Japan now is accepting Nepalese workers in a large number.
Similarly, immigrants displaced by Syrian crisis, have proved important vehicle of economic growth in some European countries even as there is debate involving whether the refugees should be allowed entry to European nations.
Contribution of diaspora in the development of a country should also requires serious consideration. Though this may not have been felt yet in the case of Nepal, it is true that Indian diaspora has played an important role in shaping various aspects of India’s political economy.
Humanitarian angle
Migration, either voluntary or forced may not be an easy choice. It is obvious that refugees are not a happy lot. Even those going for work abroad for better salaries and facilities do not always lead a dignified life. For example, Nepalese nurses dream of migrating to the developed countries like Britain, Australia and USA. A study has shown that Nepalese nurses who migrate to Britain are in distress because the dream they had before leaving Nepal gets shattered the time they land in their dream world. They do not get the work and pay they were promised before migration. They are employed as helpers and thus become deskilled.
Even if a migrant worker gets paid highly in a foreign land, he/she may not enjoy the life because we human beings have sentimental attachments to the land of our origin and we have cultural ties with our kin and land. Leaving in a foreign world amid distinct cultures and lifestyles is challenging.
Therefore, policy makers should take the issue of migration seriously. Efforts should be made where every migrant can lead a dignified life.
(The author is a Professor at the Tribhuvan University)
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Khabarhub’s editorial stance.
Unhealthy political rivalry exercised in the veil of religion, its booming population, rampant corruption, and the Kashmir issue stand as the major impediments in India’s journey to a prosperous democracy.
The formal entry of Priyanka Gandhi Wadra in Indian politics makes three things clear. She has been appointed as one of the secretaries of Indian Congress and assigned the specific area of East Uttar Pradesh for political activities. With Rahul Gandhi as the President of the Indian Congress and his sister as secretary, the Gandhi family is going to tighten its grip over the Congress Party, a legacy of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
The second is the sharp and desperate contest between the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its oppositions, mainly the Congress Party in the forthcoming general elections to be held in March or April this year. The third indication from Priyanka’s joining the fray is the charm and charisma that femininity carries more than masculinity in Indian society. In one public interview, a veteran Congress leader admitted why they go in favor of Sonia Gandhi, despite her deficiency in Hindi language. It is because he said, there is a turnout of the people in millions when she is to speak whereas hardly few thousands attend when other Congress address a public gathering. Therefore, there is a natural proclivity on her side.
Notwithstanding the changes in leadership in Congress or other parties, India has fallen into a quadrilateral trap, which pulls it down from its legitimate height.
Notwithstanding the changes in leadership in Congress or other parties, India has fallen into a quadrilateral trap, which pulls it down from its legitimate height. The trap extends from a booming population, debilitating democracy to religious trauma and breeding terrorism. The legitimate height dates back to the early 17th century when it was the richest country on earth until the time of the British occupation. But today it stands as the 7th economy in the world.
The biggest asset and by far the greatest liability of India today is its population, which stands at 1.25 billion, the second largest in the world. However, given the trend of its population growth India on the heels of China is up for becoming the largest populated nation by 2030. After almost three decades of mandatory birth control, China has relaxed its stern policy at a time when the Chinese, basking on the fruits of economic development, are most unwilling to have a large family.
On the contrary in India, it is almost a taboo to speak out on family planning today, thanks to Sanjay Gandhi’s controversial program in the seventies, which involved the forcible sterilization of men with two or more children. No political leader or party, subsequently, touches the sensitive subject for the fear of antagonizing the people. Not that India is lagging behind in economic growth. But that its 7 to 8 percent annual growth is offset by the population boom. Increasing population is also creating an adverse impact on social balance. Census officials counted just 914 girls for every 1,000 boys.
There is a dichotomy to what is described as democracy in India with respect to fundamental human freedoms and human rights of the people. There is no doubt the system has accorded important platform to civil society actors to influence the government policies, to criticize the government and to protest in a peaceful manner for the resolution of any problems.
The Indian judiciary has acted strongly and effectively against any totalitarian tendency in favor of people’s rights.
But there is a dark side overshadowing the globally commended democracy gripping India over the last 70 years. Criminalization of politics, rampant corruption both at high and low levels, domineering bureaucracy, an invincible legacy of the British Raj, and maladministration at the grass-roots level have sapped the very spirit and elements of democracy. The government is not strong enough to bring the society in order. The Indian judiciary has acted strongly and effectively against any totalitarian tendency in favor of people’s rights. However, the Indian nation as such is left in quandary and short of achieving economic and social progress.
India is definitely rich in Vedic civilization with the flourishing and survival of multiple religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism amidst centuries of turbulence. But the history of foreign invasions has turned India into a multi-religious, multi-language, multi-cultural nation, which is hitherto facing a variety of traumas. Nowhere in the world, is Hindu-Muslim animosity, resulting in religious riots, noticed as intensely as in India. Despite living together for centuries as neighbors and compatriots, they fear each other in modern days. For a country with global aspirations, it is regrettable for example to observe caught up in a religious tug-of-war on Ram Mandir. How does it affect the living challenges and lifestyle of the common people by building or not building it? Ram Mandir issue is in the central limelight and is going to decide the outcome of the general elections scheduled in 2019. The BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modi may anytime throw a gauntlet by going ahead of constructing it despite the case pending before India’s Supreme Court. It definitely is yet to take a toll of human lives and millions of votes.
By far the biggest trap India has sunk into is terrorism. It is certain to prevail until the Kashmir issue is resolved. No matter how one may describe it as a problem, in the words of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, as a dispute or as an issue, it stands as an irritant between India and Pakistan. It is challenging, if not impossible, to resolve it to the satisfaction of both India, Pakistan and, above all, the Kashmiris. It is due to this bequest that India, as former Indian home minister, P. Chidambaram said, is living in “most troubled neighborhood in the world.”
Even after 70 years of two wars and haggling over it, both countries have undergone heavy losses in security, economic benefits and political goodwill at the cost of the unresolved land issue. Territorial and political problems elsewhere in the world have the potential to get resolved sooner or later. But it appears that India is locked up eternally in Kashmir, a breeding ground for terrorism preying over all parts of the country. Sooner India gets rid of these traps; it can live in peace and climb to its rightful height.
(The author is a senior journalist)
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Khabarhub’s editorial stance