Migrant Worker Resource Centres

Although evidence shows that migrant workers contribute significantly to the economic development of the ASEAN region, migrant workers continue to suffer exploitation and abuse throughout the migration cycle. Women and men migrant workers often have limited information about safe migration and rights at work and where to access support. In countries of destination, migrants face language barriers and discrimination when attempting to access services to which they are entitled. To increase positive migration experiences that protect the human and labour rights of migrant workers and ensure that workers know their rights, TRIANGLE in ASEAN support MRCs across the region.

MRCs provide a space for workers to find information on migrating for work, ask questions, and lodge complaints. Counseling is provided at the MRCs through outreach activities, meetings, online and over the phone. Information is also disseminated through broadcasts on local radio and television, job fairs, and seminars on safe migration in schools, vocational training centres and in the community.

Before migration, migrant workers can get a better understanding of the risks as well as the potential benefits to be considered. This allows potential women and men migrant workers to make informed choices about their future.

In destination countries, MRCs offer legal aid when migrant workers’ rights are abused at work or in the destination community, serve as an accessible link to the local authorities and deliver training.

A variety of partner institutions, including job centres within provincial labour departments, trade unions and civil society organisations, were involved in their creation and run the centres. Currently, TRIANGLE in ASEAN and other ILO programmes are supporting MRCs in the following locations: please click here for the map.