By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

Bosco Samajik Vikas Sanstha (BSVS), Walvanda, hosted a two-day programme on Child Safety, Child Protection and Migration on August 11–12, 2026. The programme was organised under the guidance of three-member team from SMD-Matunga comprising Adv. Fr. Sunil Pinto, Ms. Bhakti Vardan and Ms. Babita Yadav.

The programme brought together BSVS staff, social workers and Village Education teachers to strengthen their understanding of child safeguarding, legal provisions protecting children, and the challenges faced by migrant workers from rural and tribal communities.

The training session on August 11 focused particularly on child safety and protection, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and child safeguarding policies. Adv. Fr. Sunil Pinto explained the constitutional provisions and major laws concerning children, different forms of child abuse—including physical, emotional, sexual and cyber abuse—and the responsibilities of staff in preventing and reporting abuse.

He also explained important provisions of the POCSO Act and the process of reporting offences and lodging complaints. Emphasising the responsibility of every adult working with children, the session highlighted the need to create safe environments where children are protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence.

Addressing the gathering, Fr Jesu Robinson, SDB, stressed that the safety and dignity of children and women must remain a priority for everyone working in the organisation. Staff members were subsequently briefed on the importance of the Declaration and Undertaking on Child Protection and Safety, and the required declarations were collected from all staff members.

The second part of the programme focused on migration and the rights of migrant workers. Ms. Bhakti and Ms. Babita provided inputs on the exploitation faced by migrant workers, including non-payment or delayed payment of wages, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions and misuse of identity documents. Participants were encouraged to verify employment conditions before migration and to maintain records of wages, working days and other employment details.

The trainers also explained various government schemes, essential documents and social security facilities, including Aadhaar, PAN, bank accounts, ration cards, voter ID cards and disability certificates. Information was also shared about welfare mechanisms such as the Domestic Workers' Welfare Board, Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, Mathadi Workers' Welfare Board and Security Guards' Welfare Board.

As part of the programme, Bhakti and Babita conducted a social mapping activity in which staff members gathered information about their villages and presented their findings through charts. The activity helped participants identify the social, economic and geographical realities of their communities and understand the factors influencing migration.

Feasibility Study for a New Migrant Desk

The training was also part of a broader feasibility assessment for establishing a Migrant Desk at BSVS, Walvanda-Jawhar. On August 11–12, the SMD-Matunga team interacted with BSVS staff, social workers and community members to understand migration patterns in the region.

The discussions indicated that people from Jawhar, Wada and Mokhada talukas regularly migrate to urban and industrial areas such as Vasai, Mumbai, Palghar and Shahapur in search of employment. A significant number of families also migrate to brick kilns after the monsoon season.

The team visited nearby villages along with a BSVS social worker and interacted with residents and community groups to understand the push and pull factors behind migration. The interactions revealed the need for stronger support systems for migrants before, during and after migration.

Based on the field visits and consultations, the team found a genuine need and feasibility for establishing a Migrant Desk at BSVS, Walvanda. Such a desk could provide information and assistance related to government documents and entitlements, facilitate access to legal aid in cases of wage theft and occupational hazards, respond to human rights concerns, support migrant workers in accessing welfare schemes, and explore alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce excessive dependence on migration.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Eknath Khade, who expressed gratitude to the resource persons, Fr. Jesu Robinson and all the staff members who participated in the training.

The two-day initiative strengthened the capacity of BSVS personnel to promote child safeguarding, migrant rights, social security and community awareness, while also laying the groundwork for a possible Migrant Desk that could provide much-needed support to migrant families from the tribal and rural communities of the Jawhar region.