World over, protectionism is on the rise and instead of brushing it aside merely as an opponent of free trade, we might be better off, if we pay a little more attention, as to why world leaders are getting more and more restless in protecting their local populations. Free trade policies usually come with uncontrolled migration, meaning the local population runs the risk of being displaced by low paying migrant workforce. To a certain extent, the scare of migrant workers replacing local workforce is essential, to keep the local population agile in the work they do. However, the trouble arises when the scales tilt in the favour of the migrants, because when that happens, it usually is at the cost of the local population and our way of life.
Goa being a state within the Indian union, everybody has the right to settle or start a business, but where does that leave the Goan, who now runs the risk of being considered as an endangered species in Goa.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified animal species as Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened and Least Concerned. They have clear definitions for each classification, mostly arrived based on data that places the animals accordingly in the respective groups. This helps them to take decisive action that not only helps them protect the species, but in some cases, if need be, to grow and thrive. Unfortunately there is no reliable, consistent and real time data forthcoming on Goan migration, therefore classifying the status of Goans is anybody’s guess. The country’s census lags by a decade and because Goa has been a migration challenged state, a sincere government should have by now put in place a mechanism of putting out migration data every year in the public domain.
The Government of Goa did admit in 2013 that Goans will be in minority by 2021 which is not very far away. The findings of the data were submitted to the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, but since then migration has only accelerated. It only goes to show that the Prime Minister found this issue too trivial to work up a plan. Actually politicians are never going to be interested in addressing migration issue. In Goa they just tolerate Goans because they need their votes, but in secret they hope for the day Goans do get outnumbered and no longer remain a majority, because then electing themselves will be such a egoless cakewalk, so they think, because of their ability to bulldoze outsourced voters, coaxed to settle in Goa from every nook and corner of the country.
Migration of Goans has never happened in an overt manner, but through a clandestine and consistent effort by politician’s to choke its citizen’s opportunities to prosper. Worse, the situation gets masked because the politician uses the so called intellectual voices within his constituency to influence and sing fake praises of the politician’s lousy effort. A common Goan unfortunately is unable to see through this sham and ends up voting the same person. That explains why a politician in Goa keeps getting elected for decade’s inspite of his awful performance. We never understood the meaning of performance, did we, because if we did, than Goans for example sending their children to study or work out of the state, would never vote for the same politician, who apparently during his tenure had failed to make Goa attractive enough for our Generation Next to stay on.
Agreed the entire world is struggling with large scale migration and because the issue is complex in nature Goa needs to come out with a policy to address this issue. But a policy to be finalised we need educated smart and savvy people to represent us, so that all pros and cons of migration are discussed and we arrive at the best solution. The problem with our elected representatives is many of them are busy looking over their shoulder for fear that authorities might catch up for their corrupt deeds, the rest are not very well educated to think on complex issues of migration and the balance have been there for too long on the job and hence saturated. Don’t expect them to work on issues of this complexity because their ability ends with building infrastructure and roads, with the added joy of kickbacks as part of the motivation to work.
Even without migration data, one can feel the empty spaces and lonely roads as a direct result of Goans migrating to different corners of the globe. Many might argue Goa has survived such exodus over the years. But the situation has changed now, unlike the past when Goans left, Goa would wait for their return with open arms and retain their possessions in pretty good shape, the difference now is that there is another set of people willing to take their place and dislodge Goans for good. All this does not mean we speak in poor light of those who took the option of leaving. We just need to make Goa more and more lucrative for Goans to be able to continue living here.
For those who take the option of staying back in Goa, we might have to start thinking in terms of protecting them to a limited extent. Does not necessarily mean, we handout doles, but make sure the market place gives considerable importance for all things Goan. Once a Goan is able to sell his produce, goods and services to the most high end tourist, only then do we have a chance to arrest and even reverse migration. Goans should be able to earn at least 80% of the income they usually make in the United Kingdom. The Generation Next Goan is well informed and financially savvy, they will not settle for crumbs. The sooner the government realizes the better, because if migration carries on unabated and Goans turn up endangered, the migrants will not want a Goan politician to represent them.
(Plastino D’Costa is a business consultant)
