Good practices to protect migrants

Forum Highlights Good Practices to Protect Migrants

Community-level mechanisms to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers in the Philippines and Thailand were showcased in a roundtable discussion (RTD) at the ILO Auditorium on 11 January 2012. Chaired by POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac, the RTD highlighted local good practices in both countries, as presented by implementing partners of the ILO-EU Project on Return and Reintegration.

The ILO CO-Manila Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson noted that reintegration programmes for returning migrant workers are crucial to prevent recruitment malpractices, which include the risk of human trafficking. However, he added that more work is needed “in terms of informing and educating local communities to protect and assist migrant workers and their families.”

During the plenary discussions, policy recommendations and other practical measures to enhance local-level mechanisms and responses to migration issues surfaced. Among the good practices presented were the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Campaign on Safe Migration and the Economic Empowerment Programme of the Thailand Ministry of Labor, the Public Employment Service Office in Palayan, Nueva Ecija and Kanlungan Centre’s programme to mainstream migration in local economic development.

For further information please contact:

Mr Mitchell Duran
National Project Coordinator
ILO-EC Return and Reintegration Project
CO-Manila
19th Floor Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue
1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel: +632 580 9900
Email