Call to tackle migrants' needs through multi-sector approach
Kathmandu, December 2
In the light of challenges facing the South Asian region with regards to migrant workers, stakeholders have said that migration issues have to be addressed through a multi-sector approach from all concerned.
Speaking at regional seminar on thw 'Making Labour Migration Easy and Safe in South Asia' organised by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nepal, Rensje Teerink, EU ambassador to Nepal said that needs of migrants should be addressed in a multi-sector approach with focus on their human, social and labour rights as well as their psychological and social well-being.
"Migrants' necessities go further than the cooperation of all players that are gathered here today. Migration issues should focus on the human, social and labour rights of the migrants," she said.
On the occasion, Swarnim Wagle, member of the National Planning Commission (NPC), emphasised on the need of a strong collaboration and dedication among South Asian countries to address migration issues in the region.
Other speakers during the event spoke on how migration flow facilitates extensive benefits such as remittance and cross-sharing of skills, while numerous challenges remain as migrants are exposed to many risks such as abuse, poor working condition or difficulty in accessing rights and protection.
Similarly, speakers also highlighted the need of inter-state cooperation at the policy level to regulate the labour migrants' flow, develop coherent policies and activate mechanisms to facilitate better organisation of legal migration. This would not only ensure migrants’ safety and rights but also maximise the development impacts of migration and mobility, they said.
The event, which was co-organised by the Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), had brought together participants from government institutions, institutes, think-tanks, civil society, media, migration associations, private sector, international community, SAARC Secretariat and international participants, including the EU Delegations to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
