By Matter India Reporter
Chennai, Jan 25, 2025: A delegation of the Migrants Assistance Information Network has sought the support of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission for the welfare of the migrant communities in the southern Indian state.
The delegation met Jesuit Father Joe Arun, the commission chairman on January 22 and apprised him about their ongoing work with migrants and sought the commission’s help in addressing key challenges.
They sought the commission support in cases of accidental deaths, including arrangements to transport deceased migrants’ bodies to their home states and securing any pending wages, provident fund, or gratuity for their families.
Another request was the establishment of Migrant Assistance Centers in Chennai and Tirupur. These centers would serve as dedicated hubs for counselling, grievance redressal, and resource distribution to migrant workers.
The delegation stressed that such centers could provide vital support to address the immediate and long-term needs of migrants in these regions.
The delegation also underscored the importance of education for migrant children, proposing initiatives to organize classes or establish schools that provide education in their mother tongue. They further advocated for measures to ensure safe and regulated migration through Memorandums of Agreement with host districts or states, focusing on wage protection, legal aid, and healthcare.
The team expressed interest in collaborating on Migrant Day celebrations to raise awareness about the rights and contributions of migrants. They also offered to undertake additional initiatives suggested by the department to enhance the welfare and safety of migrant communities, showcasing their commitment to partnership and comprehensive support for this vulnerable group.
The chairman, a member of the Jesuit Chennai province, stated, “Migrants are also part of all minorities. We are committed to taking care of them, ensuring their livelihoods are addressed, and safeguarding their rights. Additionally, we are assisting other states to undertake similar initiatives, following the example set by Tamil Nadu.
“We will also collaborate with Jesuit Refugee Services and Jesuit Migrant Services, as they are actively working to support migrants, he affirmed.
The chairman also said the Tamil Nadu chief minister is committed to protecting the rights of migrants, ensuring their safeguards, and making funds available for their development and welfare. “Therefore, we are strengthening these programs and developing boards for various minority institutions to organize these efforts systematically. These are the key initiatives we are focusing on,” Father Arun explained.
The chairman also facilitated the delegation’s appointment with the Labour Commission and the Women’s Commission in the state to discuss migrant issues and seek their support.
As the two departments were unavailable at the time, the delegation plans to meet with them in the near future.
The delegation was on a visit to southern India, engaging with migrants, listening to their concerns, and strengthening their network. They aimed to enhance collaboration with labor and government departments to provide better support for migrants from various states in the South.
The delegation included Jesuit Fathers Prakash Louis and Packiaraj, representing the network hubs in Bihar and Tamil Nadu, along with Sacred Hearts Sister Sujata Jena, who works in Odisha.
Father Arun was appointed as the chairperson of Tamil Nadu’s 10-member Minorities Commission on July 23, 2024, for a three-year term.
Since then, he has visited 15 districts, addressing the safeguards, welfare schemes, and rights of minorities. He, along with commission members and district authorities, has resolved more than 70 percent of the issues raised during these visits.