this article suggests that remittances pose an opportunity for speculation ..are these banks that could be the 'official' channel for remittances public or privately owned?

We need to address the causes of the movement of people.

the questions that needs to be asked ; why are people migrating? why do people leave their homes and loved ones to live (in many cases 'under the radar') in often hostile host countries?

Furthermore, why should governments focus on remittances as an opportunity for development in poor countries instead of the massive global companies in these countries?

the repeated link in the article between inequality and remittances makes me uncomfortable.

Structures of global regulation of capital and its relationship to governments must be created.In a globalised society, there must be regulation of global entities. If this was coordinated by the likes of The WTO and the World bank, well then maybe they would be accepted by ordinary peoples as being more relevant and trustworthy.

corporations who benefit from cheap labour and resources in developing countries need to be held more accountable. Their operations and structure transperant. Governments must be transperant as well, and operate independently of private corporations. Developing countries who have been delt with TNC's should align themselves. They can benefit if these companies are legislatively forced to pay more tax, increase their minimum wages and conditions for workers.

This way goverment regulation can focus more on social justice. Local and international bodies need to ensure that the global community are aware (so they can be activated against) TNC's that benefit from war and the destruction of indigenous cultures and the environment.

The form of regulation that needs to take place should ensure that minimum wages and conditions for workers are standardised globally. This is a move towards ensuring the dignity and effectiveness of community infrastructures. These infrastructures will promote the vibrance of local cultures around the world. They would would focus on sustainability, not consumerism.

Global standards such as those for pay and conditions, environmental protection and strategies to restructure or dismantle destructive TNC's should be formulated at a grassroots level by a forum representative of all peoples, cultures, nationalities and languages.

This would be a multi faceted approach, addressing the roots of war mongering, poverty & inequality, the effects of climate change, mass migration and the autonomy of people.

There is also the issue that remittances cannot be seen as replacing AID. In LA, in particular, AID must help build institutions. Remittances are not necessarily directed to this but rather to consumption.