India’s International Migrant Workers: Geopolitics and Beyond

The challenges faced by immigrant workers are pivotal in today’s global discourse. The recent 2024 United States election and the upcoming 45th Canadian elections reflect these sentiments, while developing countries express concerns regarding restricting foreign workers and increasing uncertainty in the immigration process. This paper explores the various issues of wage disparities, legal barriers, exploitation, and social discrimination, as well as conflicts and wars faced by Indian international migrants. Through thematic context analysis, this paper aims to analyse these challenges. Key findings include the legal hurdles Indian workers/ professionals face, such as decades-long waits for green cards in the US, and new immigration reforms in Canada, affecting Indian students. Additionally, the paper highlights the intensifying xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments during the COVID-19 pandemic, worsening social discrimination against Indian migrants. The research concludes that addressing these challenges necessitates comprehensive reforms, and international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), together with other UN bodies and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), must play active roles in bringing these concerns to light in the case of India. Furthermore, India’s forthcoming bilateral agreements should include a chapter on the movement of natural persons. Policy suggestions include implementing fair wage practices to close the pay gap between migrants and nationals, dismantling the kafala system in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to protect the rights of migrant workers, streamlining immigration pathways for skilled professionals and combating xenophobia through public awareness campaigns.