Migrant remittances are not ‘reverse’: CMID counters CM’s remark

The Kochi-based Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID) has expressed dismay at Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s perceived dig at migrant workers while commenting on the impact of reverse remittances on Kerala, clarifying that money sent home by migrants in Kerala, earned by working for lower wages and longer hours than Keralites, qualifies as remittance and not reverse remittance, and that it is their right.

In a statement issued here, CMID executive director Benoy Peter said migrant remittances amounting to ₹52,000 crore should be viewed in comparison to Malayali expatriates’ remittances of ₹2.16 lakh crore. He also rued the Chief Minister’s perceived derogatory remark that migrant workers required only wheat flour, onion, and liquor. In reality, a majority of migrant workers in Kerala come from States where rice is the staple food, while only a small minority consume alcohol.

Mr. Peter pointed out that migrant workers spend nearly one-third of their earnings within Kerala on rent, lottery, mobile recharge, mobile phone purchases, food, clothing, remittance fees, provisions, medicines, autorickshaw fare, and salons, to name a few expenses. He added that Keralites operate hundreds of buses to Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal every week for the conveyance of migrants. Even assuming that 10,000 migrants travel weekly at ₹2,500 per ticket, the annual earnings for operators would be substantial.

He further reminded that Kerala remains a “money order economy.” The hardships endured by Keralites, who migrated to far-off cities and villages across India, and to Ceylon, Malaysia, Singapore, the Middle East, Europe, the USA, Africa, and even Antarctica, should not be forgotten. Quoting the late poet Kadamanitta Ramakrishnan’s acclaimed lines, he urged that one must never forget how they became who they are.

Addressing Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Mr. Peter observed that there were people who repose absolute faith in his words. “Hence, there should not be a lapse on your part. It seems like some have misled you. But I have no doubt that you will make corrections,” he said.