Migration and Migrants: The Ongoing Saga of Deprivation

Migrants constituting a large majority of the global population comprise of the displaced, returned, resettled, reintegrated masses of people who in order to find a source of sustenance, temporarily or permanently, relocate to countries that pay high wages to their expat workers. Differences in economic context, social recognition along with a contemplation of an assured future drives the vulnerable migrants to cross borders for subsistence. The policies framed for migrants must ensure a comprehensive social management framework while facilitating and regulating human mobility by protecting rights and promoting social harmony. Furthermore, the practices relating to migrants and migration policies must address social interactions, inclusions and integration of aspects concerning human rights, cultural unification, social welfare and equity. The chapter attempts to explore the process of migration, investigate plight of migrant laborers, examine the effectiveness of the existing policy framework and thereby propose strategies to secure life and livelihood of the unheard population. This calls for a comprehensive and holistic approach to ensuring human rights-based public policy for the migrant population.