Blind Spot in India’s Migration Governance: A Whole-of-Journey Approach
This opinion piece critiques India's current migration governance framework, arguing that it reacts to crises rather than managing the full continuum of migrant mobility. While recent evacuations from West Asia demonstrated logistical capacity, they highlighted a systemic failure to address pre-departure recruitment, destination support, and post-return integration. The article notes that nearly 10 million Indians reside in GCC countries, contributing significantly to remittances, yet the governance architecture remains fragmented across ministries like External Affairs and Labour. This siloed approach results in partial visibility of workers' journeys, leading to data gaps that hinder anticipatory policy-making. Unlike Kerala, which has invested in robust migration data, many sending states lack the infrastructure to support returning workers effectively. The authors advocate for a 'whole-of-journey' approach, emphasizing the need for granular data and integrated welfare systems. They highlight the pending Overseas Mobility Facilitation and Welfare Bill as a crucial opportunity to embed comprehensive support into the system, ensuring that migrants are protected not just during emergencies, but throughout their entire economic lifecycle, from local districts to international labor markets.
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Blind Spot in India’s Migration Governance: A Whole-of-Journey Approach
This opinion piece critiques India's current migration governance framework, arguing that it reacts to crises rather than managing the full continuum of migrant mobility. While recent evacuations from West Asia demonstrated logistical capacity, they highlighted a systemic failure to address pre-departure recruitment, destination support, and post-return integration. The article notes that nearly 10 million Indians reside in GCC countries, contributing significantly to remittances, yet the governance architecture remains fragmented across ministries like External Affairs and Labour. This siloed approach results in partial visibility of workers' journeys, leading to data gaps that hinder anticipatory policy-making. Unlike Kerala, which has invested in robust migration data, many sending states lack the infrastructure to support returning workers effectively. The authors advocate for a 'whole-of-journey' approach, emphasizing the need for granular data and integrated welfare systems. They highlight the pending Overseas Mobility Facilitation and Welfare Bill as a crucial opportunity to embed comprehensive support into the system, ensuring that migrants are protected not just during emergencies, but throughout their entire economic lifecycle, from local districts to international labor markets.
The Indian Express