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Remarks by Secretary (CPV&OIA) and Chairman, India Centre for Migration on the Foundation Day of India Centre for Migration (March 30, 2021)

March 30, 2021

Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am delighted to be with you to celebrate the Foundation Day of India Centre for Migration (ICM) as part of India@75 celebrations. ICM was set up with the approval of the Union Cabinet. On 27 March 2012, which will henceforth be ICM Foundation Day, it emerged as a research think tank, with a broad mandate for dedicated work on migration related issues which includes research, capacity building, training and awareness generation programmes on all matters pertaining to international migration.

Since its inception, ICM has worked closely in association with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to further the objectives and priorities on Diaspora and migrant issues. ICM has collaborated with several UN organisations as well as the European Commission (EC) and its institutions. Within the country, it has worked closely with academic institutes such as Centre for Development Studies (CDS), TISS Patna, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Hyderabad and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Recently, it became an Observer in Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD), which is a significant distinction and recognition.

Over the years, ICM has made tremendous contributions to the identification of emerging country and sector specific employment opportunities abroad, identification of labour gaps in overseas labour markets and the requisite skill-sets demanded for fulfilling this gap. ICM has also contributed to programmes and proposals for skill development and skill up gradation, in consultation with professional bodies and the private sector, to promote employment opportunities abroad. This aids the Government’s efforts to make India the skills hub of the world.

ICM is the nodal training institution for the Pre-Departure Orientation programme for migrant workers and closely liaises with State Governments and other agencies. ICM organised 20 workshops, where more than 900 resource persons have been trained, assessed, and certified as Master Trainers to impart pre-departure orientation training to prospective emigrant workers across 30 PDOT centres in 11 States. The awareness generation workshops and PDO Trainings have been in tune with MEA efforts to ensure that workers migrate safely for overseas employment with an enhanced skill set (Surakshit Jaaye, Prashikshit Jaaye). Cognizant of the ongoing pandemic, MEA has adapted its approach in line with the changing times and now PDOT workshops are being conducted online as well. ICM is strengthening content for country specific and sector specific workers. ICM has also developed a range of publicity material for awareness generation on safe, legal and smart migration. It has also developed material for Aspiring Women Workers and for Law Enforcement Agencies on safe migration, which is useful source of information. ICM’s publications are available online for easy access.

ICM is engaged in implementing projects with UN and other agencies on policy related areas. It represents MEA in the project developed under the aegis of the Joint Declaration on a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM) between India and the European Union; ILO and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) are implementing partners from the EU side, while ICM is the local partner on the Indian side. The project has published a range of information material on students, talent mobility, social security, migration governance, integration handbooks, etc and has organised workshops and seminars on skill shortages, sharing of good practices on migration governance and talent mobility.

ICM has recently entered into a collaboration agreement with IOM on ‘Strengthening data-informed and migrant-centred management frameworks in India’. The pandemic highlighted how data is important for evidence based policy and provided the opportunity to develop a more comprehensive data-based migration governance framework. The 24-month long project’s primary objective is to contribute to improving access to labour migration opportunities for aspiring Indian migrants through strengthened migration management frameworks and to develop a national data management strategy.

Migration is as old as human history. It is a response to our desire for adventure, socialisation and advancement. It brings benefits to both sides, the migrant as well as the receiving society. Economic developments and technology innovations have altered the nature of migration and new patterns are emerging. COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need to stay connected and keep abreast of developments in the migration sphere and emphasised the essential role played by migrant workers in both countries of origin and destination. ICM has been in the forefront in bringing together all stakeholders and strengthening dialogue during the pandemic. Recognising the importance of the Indian migrant abroad, the Government has devised key mechanisms for their empowerment and social protection, while putting in place platforms for data-informed policymaking.

In this regard, E-migrate is MEA’s flagship project in which the data of Indian migrants and other stakeholders is captured. It is aimed at making the emigration process faster as well as transparent. It provides the Government a comprehensive and online database, but currently, only of the situation with regard to Emigration Check Required (ECR) categories and countries. With rising intricacies of migration and mobility flows, there is an undergoing process to upgrade E-Migrate to version 2.0 that will automate the current emigration process and eco-system further and expand its data capture abilities.

In increasing MEA’s outreach on many of these policy measures, ICM has played a crucial role. MEA’s think tank on matters relating to international migration and provided relevant policy inputs for existing and emerging destinations for skilled Indian migrants. ICM is currently involved in developing a manual that caters to the ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ agreement, signed recently between India and Japan. ICM has also contributed to the facilitation of evidence-based policy making to the MEA in diverse ways. It has initiated and supported the study, monitoring and analysis of the trends and dynamics of international labour markets, problems faced by the emigrant Indian workers in India and abroad; and has identified best practices of other labour sending countries and recommended policy initiatives and strategies for the safety and welfare of migrant workers.

Most importantly, ICM has produced a range of practical handbooks for stakeholders in the field of migration. I am happy to announce the launch of two of ICM’s knowledge products:

(a) A report on the ‘Impact of COVID-19 on India’s International Migration’ which surveys the impact of the pandemic on India’s international migration across sectors and countries; major migration corridors India shares with the world, and suggests emerging opportunities for future policy interventions; and

(b) The Student Handbook for Studying Abroad which is a comprehensive tool to facilitate informed and secure mobility for Indian students who are inclined to pursue higher education abroad; a complete guide that will help students every step of the way, right from departure to their career prospects.

Our eminent guests will be speaking on "Perspectives on Migration and Diaspora” and we keenly look forward to their remarks. Let me once again felicitate ICM and the core team on ICM Foundation Day and wish success in all endeavours. I wish to see ICM make rapid progress and launch forth in new areas. I hope ICM will realise the vision of becoming the premier think tank on all international migration related issues.

New Delhi
March 30, 2021

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