A Webinar on ‘Migration, COVID-19 and a New Social Contract’ of People’s Migration Challenge: Round 4 was organized on the 7th of September 2021. William Gois, Regional Coordinator of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) gave welcome remarks and introduced the current scenario of the COVID-19 and its impact on the mobility of the people, globally. The webinar was attended by various experts on migration and diaspora, research scholars, students, civil society members, etc. Mr. Patrick Taran, President, Global Migration Policy Associates moderated the webinar. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the need for universal social protection for migrants, refugees, and mobile workers all around the world. He stated that the migrants will have to raise their voice against inequality, discrimination, and injustice vis-a-vis their rights for health and security.
Role of the host country
Ms. Mary Jane Banasihan- Corcuera, Community Affairs Office III, Laguna, Philippines discussed that there have been rising issues and challenges among migrants in the Philippines specifically suicide, psycho-social concerns, and related mental problems. The government of Philippines has implemented various programmes for the welfare of the migrants such as – reintegration, investments, and employment generation programmes.
Ramon Sanahuja, Former Director of Migrants’ Attention and Welcoming Policies in Barcelona discussed that the international migration in European countries mainly Poland, Denmark, Barcelona externalizes the process of refugees in the third world countries. He added that international migration in European countries was restrictive and limited during the pandemic. He also discussed the migration routes of the migrants and refugees from one country to another. In the case of Barcelona, he highlighted the role of local administration in providing mainstream services to the refugees and asylum seekers during the pandemic. He explained how migrants and refugees have been accessing health services, legal support & advice, cultural and sports services. Both the panel experts have discussed the social contract including people’s participation, protection, human rights, employment facilities, and legal support should be provided to the migrants and refugees in the host countries during the pandemic.
Registration of migrants and refugees
Mr. Ramon Sanahuja emphasized the importance of registration of the migrants and refugees for their legal status and availing of the facilities and migrant services. He also discussed the family reunification facilities provided by Barcelona for the refugees who leave their family members or lost their families. Many immigrants have come to Europe from the Mediterranean sea for work, employment, and other purposes and eventually faced bad experiences such as losing their family members. The family reunion created one of the large numbers of immigrants to the European Union.
According to Mary Jane, Philippines is a country of migrants, therefore, it is a multi-cultural society. The local government is trying to build networks with different non-governmental organizations during this time of the pandemic. The government has been providing employment, community-based opportunities, financial assistance, livelihood opportunities, etc. She emphasized that there has been a new social contract that constitutes equality and accessibility to various resources to every migrant of the country. The migrants are required to access the basic amenities to the overall health securities.
Universal Social Protection
The universal social protection for migrants has become a significant area of discussion during the pandemic. The minimum basic payment, availability of jobs, health services, recovery plans, and decent work arrangements have become primary conditions to address the poverty and unemployment among migrants. The panelists have brought out different cases of social protection in various countries such as the USA, China, and other countries in Europe. The social contract for migrants and the importance of mutual interest and cooperation among local governments, civil societies, non-government organizations for regular and safe migration practices are important at regional, national, and global levels. To attain this, there should be partnerships and cooperation among different actors, stakeholders, and partners in the best possible way.
Finally, an end-note was delivered by the moderator, Mr. Patrick Taran conveying the importance of a social contract for the migrants’ welfare at this time of the pandemic. The discussion was followed by open Q&A raised by participants. In the end, a vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. William Gois to the organizers, moderator, panelists, and all the other participants.
Dr. Monika Bisht Ranjan is an Executive Committee member of the Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism, an international research consortium on international migration and Diaspora. She has completed her M.Phil. and Ph.D. from the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi. Her interest includes migration, diaspora, media. Email address: monika4bisht@gmail.com Twitter: @BishtMonika