Migration Matters #37
India-EU Relations, Displacement in Myanmar, Indian Students in Germany, Niger’s Anti-Migration Law, Climate Migration in Sundarbans, SRK's Upcoming Film on Illegal Migration, & More!
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 exciting resources you can check out. Don’t forget to check out our Good Finds section for some exciting reccos!
If you like this roundup we’ve specially created for you, please share it with your family and friends! You can also Tweet us at @NowMigration
Must Read
Phase II of the India-EU Migration and Mobility Project launched in New Delhi.
Launched on 20th October, the project aims to promote safe and legal migration under the framework of the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM) signed in 2016. The panel discussion at the launch highlighted specific points about the future of mobility between India and the EU like the potential of student mobility, the importance of a legal framework supporting the mobility of vocational skilled migrants, and the crucial role that private stakeholders can play in enhancing legality in mobility. The 7th India-EU High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Mobility was held on the same day.
Displacement in Myanmar
The intensification of the ongoing conflict in Myanmar between the Armed Forces and Ethnic Armed Organizations, alongside the People’s Defence Forces, has led to widespread displacement. Over half a million individuals across multiple regions were newly displaced since October 26, in addition to the existing 2 million displaced before the escalation. As transport routes remain blocked, people's movement to safer areas is restricted. The crisis has led to severe food shortages and daily essentials shortages in local markets, especially in the Rakhine state, causing rising commodity prices and further hardships for the displaced population.
UK’s ‘Rwanda Scheme’ Struck Down by the Supreme Court
The UK's highest court rejected Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's asylum seeker deportation plan to Rwanda on 15 November, upholding concerns over refugee safety. The £140m deal allowed the UK government to redirect refugees to claim asylum in Rwanda or seek settlement elsewhere. It aimed to deter illegal entries, specifically targeting those arriving via the English Channel. However, concerns were voiced about the risk of refoulement, breaching the European Convention on Human Rights and British laws. Critics have also highlighted the colonial legacies that underlie this agreement and its potential to reproduce unequal hierarchies. Despite the court's ruling, the Prime Minister has vowed to pursue the policy, proposing new negotiations and legislation changes. This effort to externalise migration management is observable in other European countries, as seen during the Austria-UK migration and security agreement and the Italy-Albania deal.
India
Indian professionals, students, and healthcare workers continue to lead the UK's visa statistics. In particular, the Health and Care visa category recorded a substantial increase of 76% in Indian applications. The post-study Graduate visa route was also dominated by 43% Indian students. In the 'Visitor' visa category, Indian nationals held the highest proportion at 27%, followed by Chinese (19%) and Turkish nationals (6%).
The Central Government plans to introduce a mandatory unique identifier for construction workers in India, ensuring comprehensive benefits and portability. Linked to Aadhaar, it aims to protect migrant workers' rights nationwide. Aligned with the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, the move aims to streamline benefits, making them accessible regardless of the worker's location.
India Surpasses China in Student Enrollment at German Universities. Indian students have witnessed a remarkable 107% surge (42,578 in 2023 alone) in enrollment at German universities over the last four years, surpassing China as the leading source of international students. This shift signifies a broader trend toward non-English speaking countries for higher education.
India and Italy have signed the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement. This will allow for the indefectible movement of people between the two countries. Italy is the third largest European nation to host Indian migrants with most of them being employed in agriculture, construction, and the service sector among others.
Global
Study on Climate-induced Migration in Sunderbans, Bangladesh: A study by Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program titled "Migration - Not a Choice but a Compulsion: Lived Experiences of Climate-Induced Migrants in the Sundarbans Region in Bangladesh'' delves into the correlation among climate change, migration, and modern slavery in the Bangladeshi Sundarbans, an area that is especially vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. It reveals that 59% of Sundarbans’ households experience climate-induced migration, driven by lost livelihoods due to disasters. Of these migrants, 86% were found to have moved internally within Bangladesh, while 14% migrated abroad from July 2022 to September 2023. Most (93%) engaged in short-term seasonal migration, compelled by loans and disaster-induced threats. This paper is set to be presented at COP28 to advocate for protective policies for climate-induced migrants.
Niger’s Government repeals Anti-Migration Law: Niger's military government has repealed an anti-migration law from 2015. This law previously prohibited transporting migrants through Niger, impacting the flow of West Africans to Europe. Implemented during a surge in African migration to Europe, the law significantly decreased migrant traffic and affected the economies of desert communities reliant on migrant trade. The move is part of the government's efforts post-coup to reassess relations with former Western allies and gain local support.
Dutch Asylum Seekers Allowed to Work Year-Round: The Dutch government has revised asylum seekers' employment regulations, allowing those awaiting asylum for over six months to work beyond the 24-week limit. Following the Council of State's ruling, this change aims to facilitate integration and provide clarity for both asylum seekers and employers. The adjustment addresses barriers status holders face in finding permanent jobs during their asylum process.
KNOMAD’s Working Paper on Climate Variability: KNOMAD's latest working paper fills a crucial gap by examining the effects of climate exposures on rural-urban migration in the developing world, using data from 23 countries. Results indicate that climate influences migration to urban areas, challenging assumptions about disproportionate impacts on rural-urban migration. The study also provides statistical profiles of climate-affected migrants in cities, revealing similarities with other urban-bound migrants, addressing concerns of climate change disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
UK’s Safe States List: In a bid to expedite the repatriation of unauthorised migrants, the UK government has announced that both India and Georgia are going to be added to the ‘safe states’ list. This addition aligns with the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and the government’s objective to curb illegal immigration. Any applications for asylum from unauthorised migrants will be inadmissible after this development.
Good Finds
Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film, ‘Dunki,’ directed by Rajkumar Hirani, highlights the pressing issue of illegal migration and the struggle of many Indians to pursue better opportunities abroad. The film is slated for release on 21st December this year. Here’s a heart-wrenching read on real-life Dunki betting everything for a life in the US.
Anita Agnihotri's novel 'The Sickle,' translated by Arunava Sinha, serves as a poignant socio-political commentary on the struggles of migrant labourers in Maharashtra's sugarcane industry. Through the lives of two women, Terna and Nakoshi, Agnihotri unveils the challenges these labourers face, both within and beyond the seasonal confines of the fields. The narrative skillfully links the labourers' world with urban intelligentsia activism, addressing issues like foeticide, workplace exploitation, patriarchy, and the political economy of agriculture.
Thank you, we will see you again next month!
Best Wishes,
The IMN TeamResearch and Drafting: Mihika Samant and Muskaan Goenka
Editorial Support: Pooja Bhatia
If you enjoyed this issue of Migration Matters, do share it with your friends and family. Any feedback is welcomed at communications@indiamigrationnow.org.