Day 1: March 20 – Stakeholders' Dialogue at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati

The first consultation day was held at Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, Guwahati, and commenced with a warm welcome and felicitation of all dignitaries and stakeholders by Ignatius Gari, Associate Director of Bosco Reach Out. Fr. Francis Bosco, in charge of the South Asia Migrant Ministry, presented a detailed analysis of migration trends from Assam to other Indian states. Shri Kanpai Das, Deputy Labour Commissioner of Assam, addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest, commending efforts to support Assam's migrant workers and ensure labour rights protection.

Fr. Albert Thymiang, Director of the Migrant Help Desk in Satgaon, facilitated discussions and led delegation-sharing sessions. Mr. Allen Brooks, Former Minority Commission Member of Assam, expressed gratitude for the collective commitment to migrant welfare. The consultation brought together 50 representatives from various civil society organizations, trade unions, religious groups, government agencies, and key stakeholders working on migration, labour rights, and social welfare. The discussion laid a strong foundation for collective action, focusing on enhancing the overall well-being of Assam's migrant workers in their destination states.

A networking lunch followed the deliberations, allowing stakeholders to interact and build collaborations. Special appreciation was extended to Fr. Ignatius and the staff of Bosco Reach Out for successfully organizing a meaningful stakeholders' dialogue in Guwahati, Assam.

Day 2: March 21 – Consultation at Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh

The second consultation day took place at Don Bosco H.S. School, Dibrugarh. The event commenced with a formal welcome and felicitation of dignitaries and DB4M migrant help desk delegates by Fr. Blasius Tete, Director of the Migrant Desk, Don Bosco Hijuguri, Tinsukia, Assam. Lighting of the ‘kuthuvilakku’ by Fr. Nestor, Rector of Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh, Mr Paban Singh, Ex.Minister and Mr Wilfred Topno marked the formal commencement of the consultation. Fr. Francis Bosco provided a contextual overview of Assam's migration trends and key determinant factors. Mr. Wilfred Topno, Secretary, People Action for Development Mission Baligaon, Gogamukh, Assam, gave an impactful presentation on child trafficking in tea gardens and the need to shape the future of Assam's children. Mr. Paban Singh Ghatowar, President of ACMS and former Union Minister, moderated the consultation deliberations, ensuring that key issues were addressed and strategic recommendations were formulated. Fr. Robert Kujur, Dibrugarh Diocese Migrant Secretary, documented all suggestions and presented them for confirmation and endorsement by participants. Fr. Sunny Minj, Director of Youth Centre, Itanagar, extended a vote of thanks to all participants, emphasizing the need to take forward the action plan deliberated during the consultation. The session concluded with a community lunch, fostering further engagement among the attendees. Special thanks to Fr. Blasius, Mr. Pores Aind, Mr. Lawrence Dhanwar, and the Don Bosco Community, Dibrugarh, for their commitment to the consultation on Assam's migration issues.

Following the consultation, the DB4M delegates visited Khwune Tea Garden in Sibsagar district, Assam. The visit aimed to engage with tea garden workers, understand their issues and challenges and share insights about the difficulties Assam migrants face in their destination states. This interactive visit facilitated direct engagement between Tea garden workers and DB4M delegates, strengthening the linkage between Assam (source region) and the various destination states where Assam migrants seek livelihoods.

The two-day consultation was essential for draft deliberations among stakeholders, tea garden workers, and policymakers. This consultation successfully paved the way for a coordinated response to safeguard the rights, welfare, and dignity of Assam's migrant workers. Special appreciation goes out to all Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) help desk delegates for their proactive involvement in strengthening the link between Assam and destination states