The 8th meeting of the Global Forum for Migration and Development took place in 2015 and I was at the venue, Istanbul, as a representing member. The five day long summit meet discussed various issues related to the worldwide expatriate workforce. The importance and the consequences of not having an active participation from the part of expatriate community in achieving UN sustainable development goals were also discussed.
As in the case of India, Turkey also bears the prominence in the role of origin- transit- and target country for the migrating community. For this reason the GFMD meet at Turkey gain importance especially on the background of increasing flow of migrants and refugees to Europe from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, through this country. Yearly lakhs and lakhs of people pass Turkey in their journey to Europe. It is a fact that Turkey is now the prime safe destination for those who escape seeking a peaceful life away from all the chaos of a war and the uncertainty it creates in the society.
The streets of Istanbul are studded with those from Syria and Iraq, on transit to Europe. It is heart breaking scene to watch ladies who go begging, even late night on street, with their infants for daily needs, ignoring even the bad weather. Youngsters, both boys and girls, were roaming around asking for food and liquor. Though it was quite disturbing to watch them, it clearly showed the depth of their agony. The prime aim of those day long efforts was to collect money to reach their final destination - Europe. They had find way for any boat they could get, to cross Mediterranean, to reach Greece. We tend to ask ourselves many times, how these people who probably led a dignified life in their country were forced to lead a refugee life now. They are people who lost their parents, relatives, and savings for the life time in explosions. Those people, who had to leave their country, not for their fault for sure, amounted to lakhs in number. They beg for their life and livelihood. GFMD had discussed this mater in detail.
Turkey owns a cultural mix of Asia and Europe. Presently, European urbanity is the characteristic mark of Turkey, especially the new generation. Though the structure and appearance of Turkish towns now resemble modern Europe, they are Asians by heart and soul. History got rewritten when Turks took control over Istanbul. After that though Islam as a religion got flourished here, the governing body didn’t destroy any of the Christian institutions. Instead they took extra care to safeguard them, the Hagia Sophia being a perfect example. Hagia Sophia, an orthodox church built in AD 537, is considered the embodiment of Byzantine architecture and is said to be a revolution in world history of architecture. Today they have preserved it as a museum. Mother Mary holding baby Jesus Christ portrayed on the large Dome of the church is surrounded by verses from Holy Quran. This serves a perfect example of religious harmony prevailing.
At the Istanbul seaside GFMD representatives from more than 100 countries jointly paid tribute to those who lost life in Mediterranean and Agean Sea, especially Aylan Kurdi. The tribute of humanity standing out at seaside in a frozen evening with mild showers was memorable. It was a silent declaration of solidarity to the agony and pain of immigrant refugees worldwide.
The five day long 8th GFMD summit was attended by representatives form 140 countries. First two days were the Civil Society day where 339 representatives participated. Later, the Prime Minister of Turkey inaugurated the joint session with representatives from Civil Society, UN, ILO, and UNHRC. Migrants don’t have a common platform to deal with their issues and consequently they are always a victim of exploitation. Session focused on policy formulation and implementation to deal with abuses in international labor migration and to improve decent work in favour of migrant employees.
Many suggestions emerged at the conference to empower them. The suggestions to save his financial liabilities were the prime choice. As a preliminary step towards this concept, ‘No Fees’ from the migrating employees was accepted. Governments were told to adopt and ensure law to stop contract substitution. Other concerns raised for the immediate intervention by respective government were the passport retention, legal assistance for dispute settlements, ensure right for decent work, association, collective bargaining, equalized remuneration, job security and stability, change of job etc. The introduction of a government to government (G2G) agreement was passed as a feasible solution for the issues in international labour recruitment.
At the transit points of migration, measures should be taken by the government to ensure human rights and human development based protection and solution. Forced migration should be stopped and long and short term sustainable solutions and policies should be formulated in this regard. Yet another proposal was the need to reinstate the duty of nationals to avoid discrimination and treat expatriate workforce as part and parcel of their society and development. For the overall growth of the expatriate society government should take necessary supportive measures for the new investment startups and entrepreneurship by them creating job opportunities. UN sustainable development agenda 2030 has given importance to expatriate workforce. Civil society is to ensure the support for monitoring and implementation of policies in this regard. For the children and women expatriate community, which forms the vital part of the society, introduce and implement empowerment program based on their human rights, education, human development, security, health and integral development.
On the whole 8th GFMD could coin various programs to ensure the participation of expatriate community at the governance, locally, regionally, national and international levels. 9th GFMD will be held at Dhaka in 2016.