Plea to relax migration rules

MANY South Africans are packing their bags and leaving the country – improved security, increased opportunities and a lack of political and financial unrest seem to be the attraction. However, is it guaranteed that the countries from which they seek immigration status will be welcoming?

Border controls not only regulate who may leave the countries’ territory, but also who may settle within. By design these regulations aim to exclude any unwanted immigrants – thus hampering the individual’s right to freedom of movement and equal opportunities for all. The moral question I would like to present is: “What justifies governments’ efforts to exclude ordinary people seeking to improve their lives?”

It is important to note, however, that there may be valid reasons for possible exclusion, such as controlling population sizes, protecting the sustainable use of resources, shielding locals from an increase in competition for scarce jobs and preventing an influx and overburdening of public education and other social services.

As a young woman myself, part of the large body of tertiarylevel students, I fear my search for prospective jobs in my field in South Africa may be quite limited. I propose more flexibility in border control and emigration regulations, since the mere location of birth should not be a reason for an individual to be denied the opportunities he/she could obtain in another country.

Besides, wouldn’t you agree, that varying cultural backgrounds don’t threaten national unity, but rather that a multicultural society enriches the lives of its citizens. ROBYN-LEIGH MCMILLAN | Paarl