The International Institute for Population Science (IIPS) in Mumbai is home to the South Asia Centre for Labour Mobility and Migrants (SALAM), which today inaugurated its inaugural international conference on “Labour and Sustainable Development in Asia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Way Forward.”The Centre was conceived by the three UN agencies along with one leading institution from each of the seven countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, the USA, and the Netherlands. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries from the government of India, leading institutes, and organizations from India and abroad. Prof. K. C. Das, Convener, SALAM, and Head of the Department of Migration & Urban Studies, IIPS welcomed the dignitaries and briefed about the SALAM and the structure of the conference in terms of different plenary (three), poster(one), and technical (fourteen) sessions. Then the event was formally inaugurated with the welcome address of Prof. K.S. James, Director and Senior Professor, IIPS, Mumbai, and all the dignitaries lightened the lamp. He said scholars have studied migration through different perspectives like demography, sociology, history, and economics. However, he emphasized the need to study labour migration through a multi-disciplinary approach. Prof. James also elaborated that such a conference is relevant and timely when rapid changes is happening not only in demography but also in the field of labour migration. Dino Corell, Labour Migration Specialist, ILO, delivered the keynote address and appreciated the SALAM Centre for bringing together experts, researchers, and academicians to present and disseminate knowledge and promote evidence-based migration governance in the South Asian region. Corell pointed out that labour migration leads to risks and challenges regarding displacement, forced migration, trafficking, health hazards, and other decent work deficits. However, it can be dealt with through the proper framework of governance, and the SALAM Centre is working in this direction. Sri J. K. Banthia (IAS), former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, chief guest, emphasized that South Asia always needed a Centre like SALAM, which can enhance capacity building to formulate evidence-based policy to protect migrants’ rights in South Asia. He mentioned how Mumbai city has evolved with the considerable contribution of migrants. He also emphasised to see the historical background of the country to understand the migration trajectories. Banthia went on to say that different initiatives have been made by the centre and state governments in the wake of COVID-19, with eShram serving as the greatest illustration. He claims that since migrants lack identification credentials, the identity problem is always a major concern for them. The government has made a few moves in this area and found some alleviation. Nevertheless, it can take some time to find a solution to the complete immigration documentation issue. Prof. C.R. Abrar (RMMRU), Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan (IIMAD), Nansiri Iamsuks (UN Women), Prof. Sayeed Unisa (IIPS), Dr. Bhaswati Das (JNU), Prof. D.P. Singh (TISS), among many others, were among the dignitaries who attended the opening session. During these three days, more than 120 researchers from various states in India and other nations will present their papers on diverse topics.
