India – A collective effort to defend the dignity of young migrants in difficulty
Odxel, India – September 2024 – An event entitled "Together for the dignity of young migrants in difficulty" was held in recent days at the Provincial House in Panjim, India, organised with the aim of addressing the pressing challenges that young migrants face. The meeting brought together leaders from various sectors to share knowledge, discuss interventions and plan collaborative efforts aimed at improving the lives of migrants. Dr. Kingshuk Sarcar, Associate Professor at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and former Labour Commissioner of West Bengal, gave the keynote address, providing an in-depth analysis of existing labour laws on interstate migration and shedding light on the legal frameworks governing migrant workers' rights. During the meeting, several prominent speakers spoke, including Father Joe Nazareth, SJ, of the Migrant Assistance and Information Network (MAIN), Feliza Goes of Pravasi Bandhu and Fr Jose Sequeira, SDB, Director of the Migrant Desk program of the INP Province. The speakers illustrated the various support mechanisms, including the creation of a short-term reception house in Old Goa, the guarantee of rights, the improvement of access to education and health care and the vocational training of migrants. In conclusion, Don Bosco Francis, Director of the Salesian Don Bosco for Migrants" Service *DB4M) explained what the path to follow should be and the participants collectively agreed on different points of action to address the situation of migrants in difficulty.