Collaborative Action for Assam Migrants: A Stakeholder Dialogue and Consultation
21 March, 2025
The two-day consultation titled "Collaborative Action for Assam Migrants: A Stakeholder Dialogue and Consultation" was successfully held on March 20 – 21, 2025, at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati, and Don Bosco H.S. School, Dibrugarh, Assam. This initiative aimed to bring together 100 key stakeholders and 10 migrant help desk delegates from Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Gujarat, Goa, and Delhi to discuss and address the challenges faced by Assam's migrant workers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Delhi. The event sought to develop collaborative strategies for the welfare, rights, and protection of Assam’s migrant workforce.
Day 1: March 20, 2025 – Stakeholders’ Dialogue at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati
The first day of the consultation was held at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati, and commenced with a warm welcome and felicitation of all dignitaries and stakeholders by Ignatius Gari, Associate Director of Bosco Reach Out. Fr.Francis Bosco, In-Charge of the South Asia Migrant Ministry, presented a detailed analysis of migration trends from Assam to other Indian states.ShriKanpai Das, Deputy Labour Commissioner of Assam, addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest, commending efforts to support Assam’s migrant workers and ensuring labor rights protection. Fr.AlbertThymiang, Director of the Migrant Help Desk, Satgaon, facilitated discussions and led delegation sharing sessions.Mr.Allen Brooks, Former Minority Commission Member of Assam, expressed gratitude for the collective commitment toward migrant welfare.
The consultation brought together 50 representatives from various civil society organizations, trade unions, religious groups, government agencies, and key stakeholders working on migration, labor rights, and social welfare. The discussion laid a strong foundation for collective action, focusing on enhancing the overall well-being of Assam’s migrant workers in their destination states.
A networking lunch followed the deliberations, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to interact and build collaborations. Special appreciation was extended to Fr. Ignatius and the staff of Bosco Reach Out for successfully organizing a meaningful stakeholders' dialogue in Guwahati, Assam.
Day 2: March 21, 2025 – Consultation at Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh
The second day of the consultation took place at Don Bosco H.S. School, Dibrugarh. The event commenced with a formal welcome and felicitation of dignitaries and DB4M migrant help desk delegates by Fr. BlasiusTete, Director of the Migrant Desk, Don Bosco Hijuguri, Tinsukia, Assam.Lighting of the kuthuvilakku by Fr. Nestor, Rector of Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh, Ex.Minister.Mr. Paban Singh, and Mr.WilfredTopno, marking the formal commencement of the consultation.Fr. Francis Bosco provided a contextual overview of Assam’s migration trends and key determinant factors.Mr. Wilfred Topno, Secretary, People Action for Development Mission Baligaon, Gogamukh, Assam, gave an impactful presentation on child trafficking in tea gardens and the need to shape the future of Assam’s children.Mr. Paban Singh Ghatowar, President of ACMS and former Union Minister, moderated the consultation deliberations, ensuring that key issues were addressed and strategic recommendations were formulated.Fr. RobertKujur, Dibrugarh Diocese Migrant Secretary, documented all suggestions and presented them for confirmation and endorsement by participants.Fr. Sunny Minj, Director Youth centre, Itanagar, extended a vote of thanks to all participants, emphasizing the need to take forward the action plan deliberated during the consultation.The session concluded with a community lunch, fostering further engagement among the attendees. Special thanks were conveyed to Fr. Blasius, Mr. PoresAind, Mr. LawrenceDhanwar, and the Don Bosco Community, Dibrugarh, for their commitment to organizing an impactful consultation on Assam’s migration issues.
Following the consultation, the DB4M delegates visited Khwune Tea Garden in Sibsagar district, Assam. The visit aimed to engage with tea garden workers, understanding their issues and challenges, while also sharing insights about the difficulties faced by Assam migrants in their destination states.This interactive visit facilitated direct engagement between Tea garden workers and DB4M delegates, strengthening the linkage between Assam (source region) and the various destination states where Assam migrants seek livelihoods.
The two-day consultation served as an essential platform for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, migrant workers, and policymakers. Strengthening migrant help desks in both source and destination regions.Key takeaways of the consultation were -Addressing issues of child trafficking in tea estates,Ensuring policy advocacy for labor rights and social security measures for Assam migrants and Enhancing collaborative efforts between government, civil society, and faith-based organizations.
The stakeholders' dialogue and consultation successfully paved the way for a coordinated response to safeguard the rights, welfare, and dignity of Assam’s migrant workers. Special appreciation goes out to all Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) help desk delegates for their proactive involvement in strengthening the link between Assam and destination states.
