Training on Anti human Trafficking and Safe Migration

Back ground of the training

Human trafficking is the modern-day term for slavery. Women, children and men are bought and sold, beaten, abused and sometimes killed as they are traded like commodities on the invisible trafficking markets across the world. Human trafficking and migration are interlaced. Agents of trafficking uses means that can convince the poor. They help the victims to migrate to another state or country.  In today’s increasingly interconnected world, migration has become a reality that touches nearly all corners of the globe. Modern transportation has made it easier, cheaper and faster for people to move. When supported by appropriate policies, migration can contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in both home and host communities. Several cases related to migration and human trafficking were referred to CBCI Office for Labour from various north and north east states. Having learned the seriousness and fast spread of the issues, CBCI Office for Labour organised two days training programme at Chetanalaya, New Delhi, from 19th & 20th March, 2018. Attendance of the participation were 60 in number.

Objectives of the Training

To empower the religious sisters and animators who are social workers

To equip them with legislations related to migration and trafficking

To familiarise the group with human trafficking issues and migrants issues

To enable the group to network with different religious congregations and organisations

Action plan to address the challenges.

Inaugural session

Rev. Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Secretary, CBCI Office for Labour welcomed the Dignitaries and the participants. In his welcome address he said Catholic Church is concerned about the migrants, the social teachings of the church speaks about the dignity of the worker and the work, the family wages etc., welcoming the participants for two days training he invited them to network with CBCI Office for Labour in assisting the migrant workers and address the grave reality of Human trafficking in India. He then introduced Fr. Paul   Moonjeli the newly appointed Director of Caritas India and welcomed him for the inaugural message. He brought out the biblical aspects of migration from Lev. 19: 34, an alien is to be treated like a citizen of the land. Pope Francis invited us to see them as our brothers and sisters. He expressed his solidarity on behalf of Caritas India with Office for Labour in journeying with the migrants and trafficked people. Expressing the gratitude and congratulating, Fr. Jaison Vadassery honoured him with a shawl.

Modules

The participants actively involved in the training and expressed their desire for continuity of the same. Sisters from Delhi and nearby states attended the training. At the end of the first day, Mr. Joseph Jude, President WIF, congratulated and honoured Fr. Jaison with a shawl, on his election as the member from Asia in the Catholic Migration Commission. Now he is a council member to represent India and South Asia at Large.  At the end of the training a group discussion was done to evaluate the programme and to state the takeaway of the individual trainee as well as the challenges in helping the trafficked. All the groups expressed the need for creating awareness on human trafficking, network and the inadequate social security measures for the unorganised workers.

Experience Sharing of Migrant Worker

Mr. Lawrance Dason, West Bengal went to Saudi with lot of dreams for a better life and earning. He was employed in Slider Code Company at Damam, Saudi. His employer was very cruel to him and he had to face harassment and exploitation even denial of food and accommodation in the scorching heat. When his health became an issue added to the trauma he underwent he decided to return to India, which was almost impossible due to lack of money to be paid to the sponsor.  Having found no way to handle this crisis, his mother and sister approached CBCI. Finding the case as genuine, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, CBCI Secretary General, entrusted the task to CBCI Office for Labour. The untiring efforts of CBCI Office for Labour in repatriating Mr. Lawrance succeeded on 16th March 2018. This was materialized with the generous assistance of Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Caritas India, Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Kurian George (NMCI) Mr. Cyril Sanju George (President of WMF, Asia Region) and World Malayalee Federation of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Lawrance expresses hid gratefulness and shared his experience with the participants. His sharing brought everyone into tears.

There are many boys and girls are languishing in different countries the worst is Saudi Arabia, where human rights and dignity are not respected. Training inputs along with sharing moved the participants to help the migrants and trafficked.   

Sr. Rani

Programme Manager

CBCI Office for Labour