Development potential of international migration needs to be tapped

In 2015, there were 244 million international migrants worldwide, representing an increase of about 41 per cent in last 15 years. Further, the world is witnessing record levels of forced displacement, with 65.3 million people been forcibly displaced by conflict and persecution in 2015, out of which 21 million were refugees, 3 million were asylum seekers and over 40 million were internally displaced people (IDP) (International Migration Report, United Nations, 2015).

Recognizing the staggering increase in the migrant population worldwide, including the forcibly displaced people and the potential they carry in economic development, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a range of specific targets on migration, one of which is to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration of people and pledges to “leave no one behind”, including refugees, IDPs and host communities.

Some of the other migration-related targets set in the 2030 Agenda include increasing the number of scholarships for studying abroad, eradicating human trafficking, respecting the labour rights of migrant workers, especially women and children, reducing transaction costs of remittances and providing legal identity to all migrants. Further, the UN aims to provide its data disaggregated by migratory status of the population, which shall be useful for ensuring its objective of inclusive growth included in the Agenda.

Amidst record levels of forced displacement experienced this year and the plight of refugees in the refugee hosting countries and within the country of origin, a high level UN Summit passed on September 19, 2016 the New York Declaration to enhance protection to the millions of migrants and refugees across the globe. 

The Declaration calls upon the host countries to increase employment opportunities for refugee adults and for children to receive education within a few months of their arrival. Further, it aims to support the growing refugee population through greater relocation opportunities such as labour mobility and education schemes. Above all, it commits to protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, including the rights of women and girls.

Moreover, the cost of providing development assistance to the millions of migrants and the refugees worldwide should be weighed against the long term development potential of the migrants for the host country and also for the country of their origin. Greater tolerance for migrants by bringing in favorable policy environment along with appropriate development investments in the countries most affected by them can bring about sustainable solutions to development.

(with inputs from Deepti Mathur, Research Fellow, Institute for Competitiveness, India).