Migration Matters #32
Migrant Express, Schengen Visa, Mediterranean Migration Crisis, displaced persons report, remittance flow, and London's Migration Museum exhibition!
Dear Reader,
We bring you the most exciting and insightful trends from the world of migration - the stories that matter, the events that made headlines and interesting resources you can check out. Don’t forget to check out our Good Finds section for some interesting reccos!
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Must Read
The ‘Migrant Express’ Tragedy in Rural Bengal
A tragic collision occurred in Balasore, Odisha on 2nd June, involving the Coromandel Express, often referred to as the 'Migrant Express' due to its association with migrant workers in recent years. The collision resulted in the loss of 250 lives and left over 1000 people injured. This incident has shed light on the victims of the Coromandel Express, who are predominantly poor, belonging to minority groups, or from underprivileged castes. They are migrants from rural Bengal, seeking employment opportunities in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
During the 1980s and 90s, the Coromandel Express was known as the "hospital express," facilitating medical tourism to southern India. However, due to the decline in central funds for MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and limited job prospects in West Bengal, there has been a significant increase in the migration of impoverished migrants to southern states. Recognizing the challenges faced by Bengali migrants in other states, the West Bengal Government has established the State Workers' Welfare Board, offering various forms of financial assistance, including helplines and assistance centres in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
Tragedy at Sea: Deadly Refugee Incident Highlights Mediterranean Migration Crisis
In one of the deadliest refugee tragedies in recent years, an overcrowded fishing boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized near Greece's coast on June 14th. The death toll is expected to climb, with over 80 bodies recovered and over 500 people, including children, still missing and feared dead. The migrants hailed from Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, the Palestinian territories, Pakistan, and Syria. Migrant arrivals to Mediterranean Europe have surged this year, with over 82,000 arrivals by sea, compared to less than 49,000 last year, according to IOM estimates. These risky voyages often involve overcrowded iron and fishing boats, underscoring the dangers faced by migrants. The rise in arrivals underscores the profound impact of stricter European migration policies on migrant safety.
KNOMAD’s 38th Migration Development Brief
The brief sheds light on recent developments in remittance flows. Despite global economic challenges, remittances to low- and middle-income countries showed resilience, growing by 8% in 2022 to reach $647 billion. In the case of India, remittances reached $111 billion, accounting for 63% of South Asia's total remittance flows. This increase can be attributed to highly skilled Indian migrants in high-income destinations and favourable economic conditions. However, the report projects a decline in remittance flows for 2023 due to a tight labour market and layoffs in the high-tech sector.
India
The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report forecasts that 6,500 high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are expected to leave India in 2023, a 13% decrease from 2022. Tax laws and outbound remittance complexities drive HNI emigration. Australia, UAE, and Singapore are preferred destinations. However, experts remain optimistic as affluent individuals are also returning to India, with an estimated 80% increase in HNI population by 2023 (New World Wealth).
A study conducted by the Tamil Nadu Alliance, a network of NGOs working for the welfare of migrant labourers, reveals a concerning finding: over 60% of unorganised migrant workers in Tamil Nadu remain unregistered on the e-Shram portal, making it difficult for them to access government schemes. The study covered 361 migrant workers in 4 districts. Moreover, it highlights challenges in accessing ration via the public distribution system and establishing migrant resource centres in all districts to address these issues. It also emphasises the importance of education for migrant children.
DMIMS School of Epidemiology and Public Health published an article on ‘Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure among migrant workers in India’. Presenting a narrative review of medical and public health literature from 2011 to 2022, the article points out how India has one of the world's highest out-of-pocket medical spending rates, making up 62.6% of total health expenses. High out-of-pocket expenses combined with limited coverage of contributory and employer-based insurance have contributed to the vulnerability of low-income migrants in the country, raising concerns about affordability and equity in healthcare access.
Global
UNHCR’s Global Trends Report, released ahead of World Refugee Day, reveals a staggering number of forcibly displaced individuals. The report states that as of May 2023, 110 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. This includes 62.5 million internally displaced persons, 35.3 million refugees, and 5.4 million asylum seekers. The report highlights a significant increase in forced displacement, with a 21% surge from last year, primarily driven by conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan. Shockingly, it indicates that 1 in 74 individuals globally has been compelled to flee violence or persecution. UNHCR emphasizes the urgent need for intensified efforts to address this alarming trend and seeks solutions through voluntary returns or alternative resettlement.
The 3rd Global consultation on the health of refugees and migrants was successfully held in Rabat, Morocco. Organised by WHO, IOM, and UNHCR, the event assessed progress, shared good practices, and addressed emerging challenges on the health of refugees and migrants. It also highlighted innovative approaches, and identified priority actions for refugee and migrant communities.
Germany has passed a new law aimed at attracting skilled migrant workers, adopting a Canada-style points-based system that considers factors such as age, skills, qualifications, and connections to Germany. The law reduces criteria for salary, education level, and German language proficiency, making it easier for migrants to come to Germany even without a job offer. The move represents a significant shift in Germany's migration policy, as the country has traditionally resisted the idea of being a migration destination. With an ageing population and labour shortages, the law aims to fill millions of job vacancies.
A recent publication by the OECD and European Commission offers a comprehensive analysis of immigrant integration across OECD, EU, and other selected countries. With 83 indicators covering key areas such as labour market, living conditions, and social integration, it reveals that immigrants and their children continue to face challenges, despite progress in certain areas. The report emphasises the need for targeted policies to address these disparities and promote inclusive integration strategies.
Good Finds
The recently released Schengen Visa statistics for 2022 shed light on countries with the lowest rejection rates, with Iceland topping the list of Schengen countries with a rejection rate of only 1.9% out of the 7,715 visa applications in 2022. The Schengen Visa, which enables entry into over 30 European countries, is a stressful part of trip planning for summer tourists to Europe. Conde Nast Traveller India, in this June’s article, shares the top 10 countries with the lowest Schengen visa rejection rates - including popular holiday destinations like Greece, Italy, and Switzerland - along with figures of visa applications to each of these countries in 2022.
If you’re in London, don't miss the Migration Museum's exhibition, "Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS," at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. Running from June 30 to October 29, 2023, this immersive showcase reveals the untold and invaluable stories of migrant workers in the NHS through captivating photography, film, oral histories, and interactive experiences. Be sure to catch the accompanying film-installation, "Speak," which delves into the journeys and contributions of migrant NHS workers. Admission is free.
For Issue 60 , digital art platform WePresent collaborated with UK Refugee Week to showcase a collection of essays, inspired by photographer Cesar Dezfuli’s project “Passengers” which follows refugees on their journeys to build a life in Europe. In the spirit of viewing migration as “more than just statistics'', issue 60 puts together four pieces from artists from diverse walks of life who shed light on the complexities of seeking asylum through their art.
Thank you, we will see you again next month!
Best Wishes,
The IMN Team
Research and Drafting: Mihika Samant and Medha Kapoor
Editorial Support: Pooja Bhatia
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