Seeking the people’s support to curb illegal migration attempts that seem to be on the rise, last week, the Navy urged the general public to refrain from attempting to leave the country illegally, and to take the necessary precautions regarding the same. This was after another arrest pertaining to the growing illegal migration racket.
The illegal and risky migration of Sri Lankans continues, and the high number of people who migrate through such methods and end up stranded in foreign countries has become a worrying development. There are serious concerns about the safety of such persons, especially because ensuring their safety has become difficult for the authorities of both Sri Lanka and of other countries, and this situation is likely to become a diplomatic issue that has the potential to affect Sri Lanka’s entire foreign employment sector.
In this context, requests made by the Navy, which have been made by a number of authorities before as well, should be taken seriously, and it is the people’s responsibility to do so.
To achieve this, the people should be educated. The motivation for many people to migrate through illegal methods, sometimes despite being aware of the risks it involves, is the success stories of those who illegally migrated some time ago to build a stable life. Although such stories are well received by much of the public, the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of people who tried to follow suit but ended up in extremely challenging and life-threatening situations are not given the same attention or publicity in Sri Lanka. The reality is that even if illegal migrants received asylum or similar social welfare benefits from those countries, it is still not a guarantee of a stable life in the long run.
This situation has to be addressed if the authorities expect more responsible behaviour from the people. The best way to do this is by raising awareness about the risks illegal migration methods involve, and the difficulties illegal migrants have to face even if they manage to enter another country.
To do that, the people’s responsibility and safety should be emphasised in the authorities’ efforts to stop illegal, irresponsible, and risky migration methods, instead of merely warning people that such migration methods are illegal. The fact that such practices are continuing despite various announcements by the authorities is a sign that such efforts should go beyond merely warning or advising the people. Targeted awareness-raising and discourses on the risks associated with illegal and risky migration methods, and targeted approaches to look into the immediate factors that compel the people to choose illegal migration methods even when they have the opportunity to go abroad legally should be among the authorities’ efforts.
Furthermore, there should be a special programme targeting those who return to the country after an illegal migration attempt, in order to prevent them from making another such attempt and to support them to legally and safely migrate. Through this programme, the authorities should choose people who are qualified/skilled enough to find employment or other opportunities in a foreign country, and assist them to find such opportunities. In the case of unskilled people, the authorities could give the former an opportunity to become skilled workers through the various programmes the authorities are conducting at present. Although such efforts may not be adequate to assist all those who have returned after an illegal migration attempt, it would be immensely beneficial to at least a segment of such groups. This would not only prevent a second illegal migration attempt, but will also help Sri Lanka send more skilled/qualified people.
In addition, the authorities should pay attention to partnering with the private sector and non-government/community-based organisations to raise awareness among the people, especially groups that are prone to choosing illegal migration methods, and to encourage such organisations to direct available funding into research projects to study this issue more closely.
The resources that could be allocated by the authorities, or even the organisations the former could partner with, in order to prevent illegal migration attempts are limited. Even in the case of people that go abroad with tourist visas to find jobs, the authorities are unable to monitor each and every person’s real motives for going abroad. In this context, the most effective approach to reducing illegal migrations is the self-discipline that comes from the people, and therefore, that should be a priority.