Human smuggling and poverty

The Navy has busted a large scale human smuggling racket and arrested five persons including the mastermind according our front page report yesterday.

Some of those arrested were from Chilaw and Marawila, considered the gateway for illegal migrants who undertake their journeys on the high seas at grave peril. These persons are not leaving their country risking their lives just to admire the beauty of an alien land. Nor are they filled with a spirit of adventure.

They do so for economic reasons and to avail of the opportunities awaiting them in these countries to make their pot of gold.

There are of course plenty of success stories. Today, one has only to travel along the stretch from Marawila to Chilaw to spot the palatial homes, the mansions and villa type residences on either side of the road.

It is a common knowledge that these are the homes of those who have made it good by smuggling their way to countries such as Italy.

There are also tales of tragedy, loss and failure. In a way there is parallel to their tales with that of the first flush of the Middle East job boom in the late 70's. Here too there were success stories as well as tragedy.

The only difference is the present lot are prepared to risk their lives for the bounty that awaits them at the other end.

Thus human smuggling today has become an attractive business with big money to be made.

One need not stretch one's imagination to know that there is a human smuggling mafia in the country with tentacles spreading far and wide and enjoying the right patronage and influence.

According to our report, a would be migrant was charged a down payment of Rs 600,000 for a journey to Australia with the balance to be paid on reaching the destination. Another popular destination is Italy where a large number of Lankans have managed to enter through illegal means, travelling in cramped fishing trawlers or multi-day boats with the journey taking them months. But the risk is worth taking for the returns it brings.

Like in the case of the Middle East workers, most would be migrants sell their land and property to raise the money and majority of them have been vindicated as already mentioned.

The demand is such that human smuggling has become an industry in Sri Lanka like in some other countries. So much so even politicians are involved in the racket.

One recalls how a group of persons travelled to a far eastern country in the company of a politician but failed in their bid to enter the country. Needles to say such incidents only bring disrepute to the country. But the heavy demand for menial jobs in some countries such as Japan and Italy have caused an exodus of Lankans mostly through illegal means.

While there can be no objection to anyone amassing wealth by finding employment in other countries, the Government for its part cannot turn a blind eye to the illegal human smuggling operations that are thriving especially in the coastal belt today.

For one thing, the Government is bound by the international immigration laws and conventions that obliges it to prevent its nationals from entering another country illegally. For another, it cannot allow its people to undergo risk to their lives by taking perilous journeys through the high seas.

The best option would be to open formal channels for Lankans to enter these countries legally and without peril.

Today, we see many Government Ministers securing employment for Lankans in countries such as South Korea and Kuwait through Government to Government agreements. Of course one could argue that these are for skilled jobs and that most of those who go illegally are those who have to settle for menial jobs.

Here too the Government is placed in a dilemma. As mentioned, there is no denying that a large majority of those who had ventured out illegally have done well for themselves economically. There is also stigma attached to the country over the question of illegal migrants.

Hopefully, a solution would be arrived at by the authorities whereby illegal human smuggling will be brought to a halt while at the same time stooping short of putting the shackles on the economic emancipation of some of our enterprising youth.