Economic prospects for migrants

At a recently concluded conference, the Second IBA Annual Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, the plight of migrants to Karachi and their resultant quality of life was discussed. The issue encompasses several crucial factors that must be changed in order to support citizens who enter the economic hub in hopes of better earnings and prosperity. Should the government be willing to allocate resources to better look after the lower-income socioeconomic classes, a mutually beneficial situation could be developed wherein the migrant serves the city and the city, likewise, facilitates the worker in financially establishing himself or herself.

To date, the system has been that village dwellers ride long hours into Karachi from surrounding lands, or even lands further north, sometimes in transit for two whole days before reaching the city. Many times, they leave their wives, children and parents back in the village, accompanied only by their dreams and ambitions of making a living enough to invite their family over. There is little documentation by the government on the conditions these new entrants live in. As per the studies shared in the conference discourse, homelessness and competition, such as for rickshaw drivers against ride-sharing services, render the persons to continue living well below the poverty line. They could be better supported if the government would conduct research into the matter so as to develop policies that would welcome and facilitate aspirants who bring their hopes to Karachi. This would include assigning a more meaningful definition to the term ‘homeless’ to include those who reside in makeshift, unregistered homes. Further, unions should be supported so that workers can fight for their rights.

Instead of focusing on the comfort of the section of society that is most stable — namely, prominent figures, government agencies need to develop a system to better support daily-wage workers. It has a responsibility and an ethical duty to tend to the needs of this vulnerable stratum of society.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2018.

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