By I.P. Sarto
Burdwan, August 25, 2026: Catholic dioceses in the Bengal and Sikkim region will establish Migrant Resource Centers across their jurisdictions to assist migrant workers with legal protections, government benefits and emergency support, participants decided at a regional workshop.
About 50 participants from eight dioceses unanimously agreed to support migrants who leave for work and those who arrive for employment through the proposed centers at a workshop held Aug. 24-25 in Burdwan, about 130 kilometers northwest of Kolkata.
The participants, including laity, religious, priests and representatives of church-based social organizations, reflected on the theme,“Journeying together as people of India – walking with Migrants,” during the two-day workshop.
“We need to provide legal safeguards to the migrants who are often exploited,” said Sister Mukta Marandi, a Sisters of Charity of Nazareth member and advocate practicing in Jharkhand. Referring to the four labor codes enacted in 2020, she urged participants to become familiar with provisions related to social security, working conditions and wages.
“The more we are aware of the labour laws, more we can support the migrant labourers with assistance from the Government schemes and human right measures,” Sister Mukta said while sharing her experiences of helping migrants obtain compensation.
“We need to encourage all the migrants to register at the e-sham portal of the Central Government to track their place of work and their living conditions,” said Rintu Bag, a social worker with Ashalayam who works with children at the Howrah Railway Station. He also shared his experience working with young migrants in different parts of India.
“India has the largest migrant population in the world. About 2.5 million Indians migrate every year to other countries for work, study and medical reasons,” said Father Francis Sunil Rosario, regional secretary for migrants in the Bengal Region and chief organizer of the workshop.
He also outlined the history of migration to Bengal from different parts of India from the 18th century to the present.
“Every diocese has secretary for the Commission for Migrants. CCBI (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India) commission for Migrants want to network and collaborate with all of them to help the migrants within India,” said Father Jason Vadassery, national executive secretary.
He added that every migrant should be given a contact number in the destination diocese so that those in distress can seek support and assistance.
He invited religious congregations, community-based organizations and parishes to collaborate for the welfare of migrants regardless of caste, creed or culture.
At the conclusion of the workshop, organized by the CCBI Commission for Migrants, Bishop Paul Simmick of Bagdogra called on participants to work for the welfare of migrants and their families through pastoral care.
Quoting Pope Francis’ four pillars for migrants — welcome, protect, promote and integrate — Bishop Simmick, regional chairman of the commission, said the migrant commission should be revived in all dioceses and migrant resource centers established to support migrant workers.