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Once, in rare expansive mood, Manohar Parrikar then Goa CM remarked

that, he is at pains to see the long queue of Goans, outside Portuguese
consulate seeking Portuguese passport . Little did he do, to halt this silent
rejection by average Goans, of the state of affairs in their home land
under his tutelage. At first opportunity, he deserted his Goan brothers and
sisters for furthering his own prospects in the process abdicating his tall
pre election promises.
It is in a way superfluous to mention that, what started as

trade in silk,

gold and spices became a five century long comprehensive socio

economic and cultural engagement where migration to Portugal from Goa
became an integral part of relationship rubric. However, motivations for
migrations were different at different times. During the Portuguese rule,
the migration was primarily for the purpose of higher education because
of non availability of Portuguese medium higher educational institutions in
rest of the India. Post 1961, the migration was more out of cultural bonds
and a sense of belongingness to the master. Then there was twice
migration from Mozambique, Angola and Kenya to Portugal once each of
this country itself became independent.
The post nineties migration has been essentially economic migration in
search of better employment opportunities, higher living standard and
attractive social security benefits in Europe. These migrants often used
Portugal as launching pad in boundary less European Union with a view to
spread out in other countries as the opportunities presented themselves.
United Kingdom has been one of the most favourite destinations. More so
in the current neo liberal world order where IMF and TROIKA are forcing
down the throat bitter pills of shrinking public employment and cuts in
welfare funds due to austerity in Southern European countries including
Portugal. In short, access to British job market and social security

via

Portugal is the real motive behind current outward flow of prospective

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migrants. This is further borne out from an Oxford analysis, that the
India-born Portuguese citizens accounted for over 20,000 UK residents
in just the first quarter of 2015. Migration Watch UK group that opposes
such migration calls it backdoor entry into Britain and urges British
Government to take urgent steps to close this loophole.

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All this makes it imperative to make aware the ever growing ranks of
aspiring migrants the ever growing uncertainties and flux which the
European Union is undergoing, the kind of intra EU stresses emerging due
to divergent views held by various EU member states on the issue of
migrants and the near implosion like situation that prevails in the Union
To begin with the United Kingdom has never been a full member of
European Union. Britain joined EU in 1973, keeping among other things
her monetary sovereignty intact. The reason for this strategy were
complicated but in essence bear hall mark of historical British cunning;
have it both ways. Reap the benefits of common market but dont
surrender rights over exchange rate policy. Things worked to their
advantage for a while but then the surge of highly cheap and qualified
labour from east Europe (Polish to begin with) started flooding the British
market. In order to extract purely political capital, then in opposition
Conservative leader David Cameron gave a cast iron guarantee that he
would hold a referendum on EUs Lisbon Treaty which assures free
movement of labour across the borders.
Little did he realise that he will get absolute majority and will have go in
for referendum whether to stay in European Union or exit the Union. This
in popular parlance is called BREXIT. The current public mood as most of
the polls indicate is for exiting the Union. As quoted in Hindustan Times,
Rabi Martins, the Goa-origin councilor in Watford, North London says: (at
least now onwards) It is a walk into the unknown. Goans now need to
rethink before applying for Portuguese passports, since the EU referendum
will adversely affect them. Brexit will make it worse, but even a vote to
stay in will make it difficult. (words in Italics are mine).
It is understood in policy circles that even if Britain decides to stay in the
European Union, it may negotiate severe restrictions on the social security
and post retirement benefits. Interestingly enough this may be acceptable
to other member states. Because, typical polish and other east European

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workers stays in the Britain for not more that 5 to 6 years. Once sufficient
savings are in the bank, they prefer to return to their home country as
most often quality of life and social benefits back home almost equivalent
if not less. On the other hand an average Goan is not secure of his
property under his nose while here, leave alone returning back after some
years.
During the

two decades, busy in looting spree the ruling class never

found time to build any social benefits scheme. As against this the
attractions of easy money from tourism, drugs or velvet packed migration
to UK (via Portugal) with low paid, 12 hours back breaking jobs in
supermarket has always hampered prospects of building a vibrant civil
society. This has done enormous damage to the Goan society and instead
of making it a 21st century knowledge based aspiring society, transformed
it into a fractured existence of simpleton village folks unaware of modern
white collar criminals, ever mute tiny middle class and a layer of always
ready soul less petty traders willing to offer brains and brawls for any
cause that fetches them few trinkets.

SHRINIVAS DHARMADHIKARI
4TH May 2016

SHRINIVAS DHARMADHIKARI