Goa, along with NGOs, needs to think of a mechanism to help expats in distress
Sooner or later, it was bound to come up. A Goa connection has shown up to the deportations from Donald Trump’s USA, as two Goans were sent home recently. It comes as no surprise, therefore. More than that, there was a feeling of “When this will happen”? This is more true, given that Goans have long been big-time migrants to the outside world for decades, or a century or two now.
So, what approach should Goa take to such developments, not exactly flattering to the State with the highest per capita GDP in the country? How is the best way to cope with reality, to understand these trends, and to work to understand what can be done in the long run?
Goa has a long history of outmigration, with Goans settling in the Middle East, Europe (especially the UK and Portugal), Canada, Australia and New Zealand, etc. Earlier migration took Goans to East Africa and various parts of ‘British India’ (including Karachi and Burma). It is said, without much exaggeration that a Goan can be found in any part of the globe.
A few Goans are known to have been trying their luck at migrating illegally to some parts of the globe. The numbers may not be large, but it is a trend worth noting. More so in large countries like the USA, where the relatively porous borders might make it tempting. Added to this, the American Dream that everyone imagines earns far higher salaries. By contrast, Fortress Europa is relatively tougher to penetrate for the illegal migrant; many have anyway opted for the ‘Portuguese passports’ route, the pros and cons of which would need an entirely different debate.
Protecting overseas Goan migrants requires a multipronged approach involving government intervention, legal safeguards, community support and awareness-building.
Goa needs to demonstrate that the State is proactive about caring for its out-migrants, legal or otherwise. They face many issues: legal, visa and OCI issues; job exploitation; lack of social security; separation from families; even racism and discrimination. In extreme cases, repatriation and emergencies too. They invest in Goa helping the country with foreign exchange. We need to remind ourselves of mass expulsions in the past, including Uganda, Malawi and Kuwait-Iraq.
Government-level protection is not an easy task; India doesn’t register its Diaspora on a State-level basis. It is time that society and religious institutions (churches, temples and masjids) take up such issues, which involve people who have helped build Goa. Stronger Goan community networks are needed, both overseas and at home.
But the government also has an onus. Can Goa think of a Migrant Welfare Cell (like Kerala) to provide legal aid, helplines and financial support for repatriation and emergencies? Goa could press New Delhi for better labour agreements with Gulf countries to protect migrant rights. Issues some expats face in procuring OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) status need to be sorted out.
The biggest issue would be making Goan expats cautious about dubious agents whose promises can land them in a soup. NGOs and legal organisations could surely play a role in helping Goans in distress. Returning Goans could benefit from reintegration programmes to cope with a changing Goa and know where their skills could be best deployed. Goa could think of a Returning Migrants Desk to help this section undertake legal paperwork, manage financial planning and find job opportunities, if required. The mental health and family support of expat Goans needs attention; better coordination with Indian embassies could help.
