We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
COMMONWEALTH INITIATIVES IN HANDLING MIGRATION ISSUES.
- Abstract
Arguments for and against free migration, both legal and illegal, were voiced by lead speakers as some focused on the protection of the rights of migrant workers while others expressed concerns about the effects of migrants on small communities and on each society's culture and values. There was agreement, however, on the need for international cooperation and collaboration to ensure that migration is managed properly in a globalized world where the movement of people is posing problems for all states. Migrant workers are often exploited and their human rights abused because they do not know their rights and domestic legislation and institutions can fail to deal with foreigners. Parliamentarians should therefore scrutinize governments to ensure foreign workers enjoy the same rights as domestic workers and that they have access to education programmes so they know what those rights are. Migration was seen as beneficial by providing needed labour and exposing people to new cultures which enrich societies. But it was also seen as a threat to the resources, cultures and values of the receiving countries, and it was acknowledged that a brain drain to the developed world could hinder development in poorer countries. Helping all countries to develop was seen as a long-term solution which would reduce the need for people to migrate to improve their lives. International and bilateral strategies, with the Commonwealth in a key role, were seen by all speakers as the most effective short-term way to manage migration, including containing the illegal movement and trafficking of people, protecting migrants from exploitation, protecting small states, examining the reasons for domestic controls on migration and harmonizing all domestic laws.
- Subjects
COMMONWEALTH Parliamentary Association; EMIGRATION &; immigration; LABOR laws; MIGRANT labor; INTERNATIONAL cooperation; HUMAN rights; LEGISLATIVE bodies
- Publication
Parliamentarian, 2010, Vol 91, Issue 4, p340
- ISSN
0031-2282
- Publication type
Article