Migration and Development Consultations

Protecting the rights of migrant workers, a shared responsibility

Empowering migrants and diaspora to contribute to development

Reports of downgrading of salaries, or contract substitution, and other forms of abuse and exploitation on working conditions, has continued to occur over the years and up to the present in many foreign workplaces as reported by OFWs and NGOs, with the Philippine government not being able to enforce the migrants’ work contracts. How do we respond?

Studies by local and international agencies, newspaper reports and anecdotal evidence point to lapses in good governance, in law enforcement and the regulation of recruitment agencies, as among the problems that must be addressed to stem irregular migration, and the trafficking and smuggling of migrants. On the other hand, the same sources also note cases of the complicity and willingness on the part of the victims--due to extreme economic need, a sense of adventure, or as a result of force or pressure from parents or guardians.

Strengthening data and research tools to foster policy and institutional coherence

GFMD Philippines – 2008 aims to continue the work of GFMD Brussels - 2007 in identifying and sharing good practices by governments on policies and institutional structures that can strengthen coherence between migration and development. It will draw lessons from the growing efforts of governments to strengthen communication, information-sharing, coordination and negotiation among the various arms of government involved with migration, and will also consider the crucial role of parliamentarians in drawing up appropriate legislation.

Regional consultation processes (RCPs) on migration are increasingly becoming effective in pursuing coordination and coherence among countries, through informal dialogue, partnership and capacity building. While most RCPs are still not primarily engaged with the migration-development nexus, they are able to offer some good practices in international cooperation between origin and destination countries. RCPs are government forums and government initiated. As such, the participation of CSOs are not clearly defined. For meaningful RCPs on migration, it is imperative that CSO participation is recognized and institutionalised.