Question

Give examples of how some countries have solved the problem of migration?

Answer 1

1) Ans) Migration is a social phenomenon caused by a broad variety of reasons including the search for better economic or educational opportunities, the desire for family reunification, climate change or disasters.

However, migration that is not safe, orderly and regular results in problems that the world is currently seeing unfold, like the thousands of migrants that have died or gone missing along dangerous migration routes; or the proliferation of migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

In response to the growth of irregular migratory movements many countries are looking towards border control as a solution: closing ports of entry to deter migration.

It is true that efficient border management policies and tools, help prevent irregular migration, dismantle organized criminal networks, and protect the rights of migrants. They are an essential part of migration governance, but not the only part.

Beyond border control, countries can approach migration from a holistic point of view which seeks to take advantage of its potential to boost countries´ economy while also addressing the risks of the process and the causes that drive people out of their countries.

Here are a few recommendations based on IOM’s Migration Governance Framework:

Countries should promote stability, education and employment opportunities and reduce the drivers of forced migration, including by promoting resilience, thereby enabling individuals to make the choice between staying or migrating.

The collection, analysis and use of credible data and information on, among other things, demographics, cross-border movements, internal displacement, diasporas, labor markets, seasonal trends, education and health is essential to create policies based on facts, that weighs the benefits and risks of migration.

Regional cooperation, can help minimize the negative consequences of migration and preserve its integrity. It can also contribute to regional and global development goals by improving human capital through sustainable development and ensuring longer-term economic growth.

Migration has the potential to bring positive socioeconomicoutcomes for both society and migrants. For countries to reap these benefits, their policies and practices need to advance the socioeconomic wellbeing of migrants and society, while adhering to adherence to international standards that respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of individuals within a state’s territory without discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, religion or migration status.

1. Address the drivers of involuntary migration and create more legal avenues of migration

Currently, migrants arriving in Malta or Lampedusa, for example, go to processing centers. Why would they take the risk of putting their lives in danger if they could be processed before? The ideal would be to have migrant processing centres on shore in North Africa, before they board unseaworthy boats to cross the Mediterranean. Some of the migrants will qualify for refugee protection under the 1951 Convention. Some will clearly be identified as economic migrants. Some might be sent back home while others might be authorized to join their families already in Europe.

Why not increase opportunities for regular migration, or even short-term protection for migrants that need them? If migrants are not needed, employers would not be hiring migrants in irregular situations who are often exploited and abused because of irregular status. These are actions that can help solve the short-term issue. But nothing will really change until we recognize that the whole situation has altered incredibly and that Europe, which has been a continent of origin of migrants for centuries, has become a continent of destination for the last four decades.

2. Go back to the basics, to the historically positive nature of migration

Migration has been historically positive. Migrants bring new ideas and high motivation. They contribute to the economy of their host countries and even more to the economy of their countries of origin by sending remittances to their families. They don’t take others’ jobs; they often create employment. They send back home $450 billion every year to put food on the table, for the education of their children, for the people who are sick, and for the elderly. This amount represents two to three times the annual amount of global Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).

We also need better systems to manage migration so that people migrate under safer and better conditions, thereby allowing them to contribute optimally to the development of the communities where they belong. I understand the fears, those coming from the global economic downturn of 2008, from the loss of jobs, from the post 9/11 syndrome, from losing personal and national identities because of globalization. These fears are real. They exist. We cannot deny them. But we must deal with them.

3. Dispel the stereotypes

There is nothing on the record that shows that migrants have more criminal tendencies or records than nationals. It is even usually the opposite. There is nothing on the record that migrants bring in diseases. These perceptions need to be changed. Yes, it is going to take time and will be a long process. But it has to be done.

Countries that are not traditional destinations for migrants are going to have to learn to manage an extremely growing economic, social, religious and ethnic diversity. People are going to arrive who don’t look or speak exactly as we do, but who might be brought to share the same values if they are properly welcomed and integrated.

Governments must take the lead in this long but crucial process. They must implement public education and create information progammes. They must take action, before it is too late. It takes political courage. Unfortunately, right now it is in short supply.