Friday, 22 November 2002  
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An exemplary Italian initiative

Against a bleak backdrop of mounting illegal migration to the West from poorer countries, it is heartening to learn that Italy would be opening its doors to eligible Lankan job seekers, on the basis of an agreement arrived at between the Governments of the countries. In terms of this agreement, Italy would be providing Lanka with an annual job quota, provided the latter puts an end to illegal migrations.

Besides being encouraging for the much-needed job openings the Italian initiative would be providing Lankans, this news cheers for the proof it provides that not all Western governments are intent on desenticizing themselves to the needs of developing countries. Over the years, the view gained ground that most Western states are busy building "high separation walls" between themselves and the peoples of the Third World by creating legal and other forms of disincentives against both legal and illegal migrants from poorer countries.

This was proof for some that global economic integration, although favoured by the West on paper, was not really being practised by particularly Western governments which were beginning to tout economic nationalism and other agendas which foster self-interest and individualism. The increasing electoral fortunes of the political Right in even some Western European countries, seem to lend credence to this view. A staunchly anti-immigrant platform laid the foundation for these victories. Recessionary trends in Western economies over the past few years, further nourished these nationalist political forces.

Ironically, however, these negative factors only seemed to further fuel illegal migration from Third World shores, including those of Sri Lanka. Today, human smuggling has assumed disturbing proportions, with some Lankan gangs acquiring a notoriety for providing a much-streamlined and a relatively fool-proof migration process. Our very own "boat people" are the proof of this.

Seen against this disquieting backdrop, the Italian initiative could be considered a ground-breaker. The agreement is that the Italian Government provides a specified number of jobs for Lankans while the Lankan Government stops illegal migrations from this country to Italy. This could prove a challenge for the Lankan State. For, stemming illegal migration has to be postulated on the ability of State agencies to be omnipresent and be eternally vigilant against migratory movements carried out illegally.

Nevertheless, we hope the agreement between Italy and Lanka would prove exemplary. If Western governments are in earnest when they speak of the perceived virtues of globalization and economic liberalization, they too must open their markets to Third World labour, may be within clearly defined limits.

The problems spewed by illegal migration in Western states prove that the West can no longer turn a blind eye on the political and socio-economic crises gripping the poor countries. In the case of Sri Lanka, we are encouraged by the spectacle of a number of Western states, including Norway, the US and the UK, contributing substantive efforts towards resolving our ethnic conflict. Such joint-problem solving should be brought to bear on other Third World trouble spots too. Then, perhaps, we would have less human smuggling and other shaming distortions.

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