Drain or Gain?

International Day of Family Remittances was observed on 16^th June.  The day recognizes the importance of migrant workers and the humongous efforts and hardships they put up with, to support and uplift their families. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that there is a day to recognize and celebrate these people.

While many people complain of brain drain in the country, I am someone who believes that human potential should flourish in the right environment.

Moreover, I feel that the migrants of a country are not only helping their families, but also helping the nation, through your overseas remittances. Just to give an idea, about how much money comes into India, through foreign remittances. According to the World Bank, India received $125 billion in foreign remittances in 2023. This is the highest number of remittances in the world, and accounts for 3.4% of India's GDP. The Indian diaspora, which is estimated to be around 35 million people, plays a crucial role in supporting families and contributing to the country's economic resilience.

It is not just about the money they bring into the country, but also the pride they add to our country. Don’t we feel proud, when we say that the CEO of Google or Microsoft is an Indian?

A country with huge population like India, should acknowledge the fact that we do not have enough white-collar job opportunities within the country and so it is a good idea to go out in search of opportunities. Like the Tamil poet Bharathi says "Thirai kadal odi thiraviam thedu." (Cross the seas, in search of treasures).

It is not just about the white collar, but there are a lot of blue-collar workers, who go abroad, to do menial jobs. A lot of construction labour, nurses, helpers, cleaners, migrate to Gulf and other countries, with the only intention of supporting their families.

To give you a glimpse of the hardships they go through, let me share something, I heard from one of my ex-staff, Mr. Kannan, who migrated to the Gulf, in search of better pastures.

One fine day, after 3 years, of leaving my company, Kannan dropped into my office. I was glad to see him. While he was working here, he was the office peon and was drawing a low salary, which was hardly sufficient for him to make ends meet. But now, he looked well off, wearing a nice dress and some gold ornaments, like a bracelet and chain. Few moments, after exchanging some formal greeting and words, I told him, I was so happy to see him reach this level of financial status. The moment I told him that, he burst into tears and started weeping like a child. I was puzzled for a moment, but a little later he started telling me about his life and his daily routine, which was so painful to hear.

He said that he was put along with a few more co-workers in small rooms, in a labour camp, which has bunker beds and minimum facilities. It is located far away from the city and there is no way, he could go out.

His routine starts early. They must be ready by 7am. A vehicle comes to pick them up and travels for more than an hour to reach the city. There, they will be dropped in at different workplaces, where a supervisor will allot them the work for the day. In fact, they are not even dropped in the same workplace for more than a few consecutive days, because the labour contractors are apprehensive, that may make some local friends, and complain about their situation. They are picked up back at around 6pm and reach their labour camp around 7pm.  After that they have to do all their domestic chores such as cook their own food, wash their clothes and hardly have any free time, except to eat and sleep. Their passports are held with the contractors, and they can go to India, only during the allotted holidays.

I asked him, why does he continue to go to work there in spite of all the hardships. What he said touched my heart so deeply. He said, “Sir, I am crying only in front of you. But in front of my parents and family members, I put up a happy face. They are happy and comfortable, because of the money I am able to earn and send to them. If they know, I am in pain, then they will not send me to work. Their happiness will vanish. I don’t want that to happen.”

I was pleased to hear of his noble intentions. Many times, we fail to appreciate the amount of sacrifice, they do, just for the cause of their family to live a better life back in their homeland.

There is always a debate about migrant workers, as to whether it is a boon or bane. To me a migrant worker is a boon, both from where he migrates and to where he migrates to.  They deserve our respect and understanding, rather than being looked down upon.

D. Senthil Kannan,

CEO, PALMS Training & Consulting (P) Ltd., Tuticorin.

Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com