Arunodhaya
Migrant Initiatives (Ami) (formerly Migrant Forum) was established
in the year 1998, with the focus to
address the issues arising out of
labour and undocumented migration,
the organization looks at migration
from the perspective of 3D (Dirty,
Difficult and Dangerous) conditions
in which most migrant workers work.
It also addresses the issues of trafficking
and growing feminization of migration
particularly the domestic workers.
AMI believes that ‘Forced Labour’
is trafficking. The AMI has a special
emphasis on health issues particularly
the vulnerability of the migrant workers
to HIV/AIDS. We strongly oppose the
‘Mandatory Testing’ of
migrant workers for various health
conditions without their knowledge
in both sending and destination countries.
- To protect and promote the rights
of the migrant workers and their
families
- To organize the migrants at the
community level for community based
interventions such as Pre-migration,
Pre-Departure, Returnees Reintegration
and Spouses Programme.
- To empower the migrant workers,
spouses and their communities to
fight against HIV/AIDS
- To network with government and
non-governmental organizations inside
and outside India for the protection
of migrant workers against deportation,
discrimination, xenophobia, intolerance
and mandatory testing.
- To document the happenings to
the migrant workers in the destination
countries through the annual publication
of the ‘State of the Migrants’
and to undertake research on Foreign
Migrant Domestic workers.
- To lobby with the government for
signing international convention
and to work for a more migrant-friendly
legislation to protect the rights
of the migrant workers and their
families.
There are different stakeholders
in the process of migration. The role
of the State in the process of migration
in India is both direct and indirect.
The AMI works closely with the office
of the PoE (Protector of Emigrants)
in the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs (MOIA) in evolving a pre-departure
programme and to initiate a dialogue
with the officials of the labour department
for an amendment to the Emigration
Act of 1983. AMI also works with the
NACO (National AIDS Control Organization)
and TANSACS (Tamil Nadu State AIDS
Control Society) to bring their notice
constantly the migrant population
and their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
The AMI also works with National Human
Rights Commission urging them to take
up the abuses perpetrated against
Migrant workers in the destination
countries. National Consultations
are being organized regularly with
the stake holders, UN agencies, government
departments, academics and other Non
Governmental Organizations.
At the Regional level AMI is a partner
CARAM Asia (Coordination of Action
Research on AIDS and Mobility) based
in Kualalumpur Malaysia-CARAM Asia
is committed to the ongoing development
of information, interventions and
partnerships with migrant workers
in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
CARAM’s thrust is to develop
continuous information through participatory
Action Research with migrants and
their communities at all stages of
migration. CARAM’s strengths
are action research, community based
interventions, advocacy, regional
network and partners in most of the
sending and receiving countries in
Asia.
8th Floor, Wisma MLS, 31, Jalan
Tuanku Abdul Rahman
50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
URL: www.caramasia.org
Tel: +603-26970708
/ 26970219
Fax: +603-26970282
E-mail: infom@caramasia.org, caraminfo@yahoo.com
