ILO welcomes 'landmark' SAARC labour migration commitments
The ILO welcomes Kathmandu Declaration committing to improve labour migration processes.
29 November 2014
(BANGKOK) ILO News - Yoshiteru Uramoto, Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has welcomed the commitment by the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to improve the management of labour migration processes.
In a declaration issued at the end of the 18th SAARC Summit, which concluded in Kathmandu on Friday, the Organization's leaders adopted the Kathmandu Declaration. This included a commitment to collaborate and cooperation on safe, orderly and responsible management of labour migration from South Asia, to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of migrant workers in their destination countries outside the region.
"This declaration is really a landmark in the history of SAARC, and I welcome it wholeheartedly" said Mr Uramoto. "As well as labour migration it also touches on a number of other issues that are critical to improving the lives of working people and their families in the region."
"The ILO is ready to provide any technical assistance required to help build fair and effective migration systems in both migrant sending and receiving countries."
The 36-point Kathmandu Declaration also addressed the trafficking of women and children, poverty alleviation, social protection and support for youth self-employment.
SAARC is an economic and geopolitical organisation of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia. The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Senior Communication Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok
email
Tel.:+66 (0) 8989 50912
Jiraporn Wongpaithoon
Communications Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok
email
Tel.:+66 (0) 2288 1664
In a declaration issued at the end of the 18th SAARC Summit, which concluded in Kathmandu on Friday, the Organization's leaders adopted the Kathmandu Declaration. This included a commitment to collaborate and cooperation on safe, orderly and responsible management of labour migration from South Asia, to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of migrant workers in their destination countries outside the region.
"This declaration is really a landmark in the history of SAARC, and I welcome it wholeheartedly" said Mr Uramoto. "As well as labour migration it also touches on a number of other issues that are critical to improving the lives of working people and their families in the region."
"The ILO is ready to provide any technical assistance required to help build fair and effective migration systems in both migrant sending and receiving countries."
The 36-point Kathmandu Declaration also addressed the trafficking of women and children, poverty alleviation, social protection and support for youth self-employment.
SAARC is an economic and geopolitical organisation of eight countries that are primarily located in South Asia. The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
For further information please contact:
Sophy FisherSenior Communication Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok
Tel.:+66 (0) 8989 50912
Jiraporn Wongpaithoon
Communications Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok
Tel.:+66 (0) 2288 1664