An online panel discussion scrutinising Global Compact for Migration objective 3: Provide accurate and timely information at all stages of migration took place on 12th October 2021. It was co-organised by the Cross-Regional Center for Refugees and Migrants (CCRM), Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT), The International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Metropolis Asia Pacific (MAP), and Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) as a part of an International Six Month Online Certificate Programme on Global Compact for Migration.
The discussion aimed to analyse the issue through an interdisciplinary approach by dialogue and knowledge sharing in order to understand better what type of information for migrants is necessary at each stage of migration, how it can be most effectively disseminated, what obstacles there are and how the stakeholder should be coordinated for a comprehensive approach.
The panel was moderated by Ms Paddy Siyanga Knudsen, Vice President of GRFDT and included Ms Lorena Lando, a Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (IOM Nepal), Mr Akhil C S, a researcher from International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD),Dr Aaraon Diaz Mendiburo, a lecturer from Centre for Research on North America based in National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Ms Rositsa Mahdi, a researcher working on a Project Digital Active Women and Mr Ramon Sanahuja Vélez, an expert on local administration of migrants and refugees in Spain.
Comprehensive approach necessary with focus on human rights at its core
The discussion began with Ms Lorena Lando emphasising how politicised the discussions around migration commonly are and stressing the necessity for a comprehensive approach to migration management that ensures effective policies protecting human rights and promoting human dignity. The effective cooperation and dialogue between countries and other stake holders is a key in achieving this.
“If we take the approach of fundamental human right, these should be applied to everybody, not just pick and choose what suits. This should be the approach to our work. This is not easy but we cannot give up. There are always things that are not going the way they should be going but it is essential that the dialogue would be there.” – Ms. Lorena Lando
She also stressed how COVID-19 exemplified the importance on providing information to migrants as they may often not be at the core focus of the governments but require tailored approach in similar circumstances.
Information must be accurate, relevant and accessible
The discussion then moved on to Mr Akhil C S detailing the issues that migrants from India and other parts of South Asia commonly face in terms of information provisions. He suggested that lack of accurate and relevant information and accessibility to information are among key issues faced by migrants at various stages of migration and it can reproduce vulnerabilities of migrants and lead to trafficking, forced labour, debt bondages and other labour rights violations. He emphasised that we should not only focus on lack of information or availability of information but also on how irrelevant or overloaded it may be and there are often lack of access of information due to migrant’s working patterns or levels of literacy.
He also agreed on the need for a comprehensive approach on information provisions that include and utilise various stakeholders, such as diaspora communities and trade unions, and offer effective and accessible information at various stages of migration. He exemplified how COVID- 19 demonstrated the efficiency of diaspora organisations in disseminating information to migrants.
“Lack of accurate and relevant information always reproduce vulnerabilities that migrants face in various stages of migration. It may lead to human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondages and other labour rights violations” – Mr Akhil C S
Migrants should be seen as human beings and not just workers
The discussion then commenced with Dr Aaraon Diaz Mendiburo emphasising how temporal migrant workers from Mexico to Canada do not receive almost any information prior to the departure. And if they do, these are mostly the instructions of how to become a ‘good’ and ‘professional’ worker. He underscored that temporal migrant workers are often not seen as human beings and do not receive any information concerning their personal, sexual or emotional well-being. Drawing on personal experience, he suggested that governments are sometimes not willing or not concerned to change this as they may just be focusing on the economic gains. He offered to volunteer at the Ministry of Labour in Mexico to provide the necessary information for migrants’ pre-departure but was not welcomed to do so.
“There are some talks conducted at the Ministry of Labour, in the organisation that sends migrants to Canada, but they talk mostly about behaviours which is kind of control, they are just expected to be professional and productive. The migrants are just told to be good and not rude- that is the information they get. Nothing related to human or labour rights, sexual information or emotions.” – Dr Aaraon Diaz Mendiburo
Information provisions as gendered process
Ms Rositsa Mahdi then offered her insights based on research findings for project Digital Active Women. She discussed that it is often the women specifically that are searching for information and are responsible for integration of the whole family. She stressed the necessity for convenient and efficient ways to provide information tailored for migrant women needs. She suggested this can be achieved through digital means by providing information in digital places that migrants usually seek it, such as Facebook groups and other social media platforms.
She also emphasised how citizens science can be utilised to understand better how, where and what information migrants needs and include their voice in the agenda.
“ It is very often the case that women are responsible for the integration of the whole family”– Ms Rositsa Mahdi
Local administrations and information for irregular migrants
Finally, Mr Ramon SanahujaVélez contributed to the discussion by offering his insights on the role of local administrations on providing information and the necessity to include migrants with irregular status in the information provisions. He suggested to analyse information provisions for migrants also from a micro or local perspective as mobility of migrants is not just from country to country but from a specific city or village to a city in another country. The departure cities as well as arrival ones should have information points tailored to that localities and effectively provide relevant and accurate information for newly arrived migrants, such as there is one in Barcelona.
These information centres should include information for migrants with irregular status. Irregular migration is a reality and these migrants are part of the society and must know their rights and information regarding their legal status, ways to regularise, access to healthcare and education.
As other panelists, he also agreed that migrant workers are often seen just as workers and local administrations should work to assist migrants to broaden their spectrum of interests and promote their well-being.
“So migration is from one point to another and this is a key in understanding where the migrants get first information. Usually it is a friend or a relative. This information is not always reliable, especially because often migrants tend to portray their migration experiences as success ”- Mr Ramon Sanahuja Vélez
Return, reintegration and stigma around migration
At the final round of the insights, the panelists answered the questions from the audience. Ms Lorena Lando emphasised the importance of providing information as well on the risks of irregular migration and seeking more accessible and comprehensible ways to provide information such as through videos. Mr Akhil C S added that information for returning migrants should already start at the pre-return stage and Mr Ramon Sanahuja Vélez stressed that European Union and non-governmental institutions tend to spend more money on the programs initiating return rather than re-integration. The panel discussion concluded with the insightby Prof. Camelia Nicoleta Tigau from GRFDT. She proposed that information provisions should not be reserved only to the information for migrants. It should also include the information about migration provided to the wider public because it shapes the societal perceptions on migrants and affects them and their well-being directly. Unfortunately, often these perceptions are politicised and misinformed.
“Communication on migration is just a very important field of study of action with direct consequences on the life of migrants” – Prof. Camelia Nicoleta Tigau
Indriga Valiukaite is a research intern at GRFDT. She holds a MSc in Global Migration from University College London. Her research interests lie in the political philosophy and sociology with special focus on issues related to democracy, migration, citizenship, nationalism, transnationalism, multiculturalism, ethnic conflict, politics of recognition, identity.