Policy coherence, enforcement key to managing labour migration

(ILO BANGKOK):  Better policy coherence, effective enforcement and more research are some of the elements needed for improved management oflabourmigration in East Asia , according to a three-day symposium at the Singapore Management University (SMU).

The meeting, which was jointlyorganisedby the InternationalLabourOrganization (ILO) and SMU, brought together migration experts, representatives of 13 East Asian economies[1], as well as employers’ and workers’organisationsto address social and economic policy issues related to regionallabourmigration.

“Deciding who to admit into your midst…how to treat them in employment and how your own society will integrate them” are complex issues for States, said Manolo Abella, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO Asian Regional Programme on Governance of Labour Migration,International Labour Organization.He added that “the question of how much migration is desirable is often projected as an economic issue. But at the end of the day…it is settled by political consensus”.

”Migration can be a truly “win-win” proposition for all if a framework for managing migration is in place and if there is closer co-operation among governments, employers and workers to ensure its implementation” he said.

One major problem is that migration is an under-researched area and because of this administrators and civil servants often lack the information they need. Further research is needed to ensure that decisions are not based on mistaken assumptions and that migration policies are not undermined by conflicting approaches in other areas. 

The Symposium, which ran from 16-18^th May 2007, underlined the importance of governance capacity and matching good policies with successful enforcement. The Philippines for example, an important sending country for migrant workers, has been cited as a model for the organization of outward-bound migration. However there are still gaps between policy and practice and very often policy makers assume that once they have passed a good law, then the problem has been solved. However this is almost never enough.

“Policies must start with the recognition that migrant workers are rational human beings who will make choices and take risks that are best for them, even if this happens to be out of line with state policies,” Mr. Abella said.  

Inadequate governance comes at a cost, often a heavy one that is born by individual migrant workers. Examples include the higher costs of migrating through government-approved channels rather than informal ones. Governments need ensure that protective measures do not simply place further financial burdens on migrants.

Speaking of the ILO’s Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration, a non-binding agreement based on international principles of decent work and best practices, Mr. Abella says, “we should try very hard to…enrich this framework with concrete experiences and… to work not only at a regional level but to promote its implementation at national levels”.He drew attention to the recent ASEAN Declaration on Protection of Migrant Workers which shows that there is now a political commitment on the part of member states of the region to improving the conditions of migrant workers. 

For more information please contact:

Manolo Abella
Chief Technical Adviser
ILO Asian Regional Programme on Governance of Labour Migration
International Labour Organization
Tel:+ 66 (0)2288 2243
e-mail

Sophy Fisher  
Regional Information Officer - ILO Bangkok
Tel: +662 288 2482  
e-mail