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Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)

Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)

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by IDWFED published Nov 30, 2015 12:00 AM
Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group- Western Visayas (MCG-WV), Iloilo, the Philippines, November 27-29, 2015. As a founding partner, the IDWF aims to do the piloting of the said initiative in the Philippines in two areas namely; the SOCSKSARGEN area and Western Visayas. The IDWF was represented by Rey Rasing, Project Coordinator, at the Founding Assembly and training in Iloilo.
  • Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)
  • 2015-11-27T00:00:00+00:00
  • 2015-11-29T23:59:59+00:00
  • Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group- Western Visayas (MCG-WV), Iloilo, the Philippines, November 27-29, 2015. As a founding partner, the IDWF aims to do the piloting of the said initiative in the Philippines in two areas namely; the SOCSKSARGEN area and Western Visayas. The IDWF was represented by Rey Rasing, Project Coordinator, at the Founding Assembly and training in Iloilo.
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Nov 27, 2015 to Nov 29, 2015 (Universal / UTC0)
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PHILIPPINES -          

It is an initiative in Iloilo in the Philippines where many women workers migrate to take up domestic work, among others. 

The MCG-WV attempts to bring together migrant workers, both the potential and returning ones, their families and people in the community to address some of the issues faced by the migrant workers.  Among the elected leaders, two were domestic workers working in Hong Kong and Singapore - Bing and Ellene.

As a founding partner, the IDWF aims to do the piloting of the said initiative in the Philippines in two areas namely; the SOCSKSARGEN area and  Western Visayas. The IDWF was represented by Rey Rasing, Project Coordinator, at the Founding Assembly and training in Iloilo.

2015-11-27~29 Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)2015-11-27~29 Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)2015-11-27~29 Philippines: Founding of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas (MCG-WV)

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SOLIDARITY MESSAGE TO THE MCG-WV FOUNDING ASSEMBLY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
NOVEMBER 27-29, 2015

In behalf of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), we would like to congratulate the leaders and members of the Migrant Coordinating Group-Western Visayas in its founding assembly. We in the IDWF are honored to be partners of this initiative to promote the rights and welfare of migrants most especially the domestic workers. For those who does not know the IDWF, it is a membership-based, democratic, global organization of domestic and household workers. Since its founding in 2013, the IDWF has evolved into a key advocate for the rights of domestic workers globally with 58 affiliates in 46 countries and around 330,000 members. It accomplishes this through connecting workers’ organisations into a global federation, by strengthening those workers organisations through supporting capacity building and exchanging of best practice and by leveraging the support of strategic partners. Currently, it has its general secretariat based in Hong Kong.

At the moment, there are an estimated 232 million international migrants around the world[1], most of which are related to seeking employment. In 2013, Asians represented the largest diaspora group residing outside their major area of birth[2]. This will continually grow because of the effect of globalization, conflicts, demographic shifts, income inequalities and climate change.  Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired during their migration experience. Yet, the migration process implies complex challenges in terms of governance, migrant workers’ protection, migration and development linkages, and international cooperation[3]

Over 10.5 million Filipinos are either temporarily working or permanently residing abroad, according to the 2013 Commission on Filipinos Overseas. More recent estimates peg the number at 15 million. However, around thirty three (33%) percent of these migrants workers are unskilled workers, which means that one of every three OFW’s. Of these unskilled workers 54% are women and more susceptible to vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. Every year since 2010 until 2014 an average of 142,295 women migrate to work as domestic workers and caregivers in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe and Middle East countries. The statistics is that of those whose papers have passed through the government channels, however it may be much larger if it included those that have been employed illegally.

The Philippines has facilitated the steady pace of labor migration of its workers through institutional and legislative support. The Republic Act 8042, also known as Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, established a higher standard of protection and rights promotion of migrant workers and their families. At present, the government has ratified the ILO Convention 189 including a national law for domestic workers. It recognize domestic work as work and uphold the rights and dignity of domestic workers in the country. This law covers the inclusion of domestic workers into social security and medical insurance among other benefits provided in the Labor Code including the minimum wage. However, this has been continually challenged at the national levels as well as internationally. This vulnerability is doubly intensified for irregular migrant domestic workers with no legal guarantees and work benefits. Despite the supposedly sophisticated structure and processes in the Philippines in facilitating migrant workers, cracks in the system remain for them to fall on as they become victims of human rights abuses and illegal recruitment.

Despite this challenges, the IDWF has started initiatives in the Philippines in cooperation with a labor NGO called the Labor Education and Research Network and the labor center SENTRO, to organize and capacitate local domestic workers. In February of this year, UNITED Domestic Workers Federation in the Philippines had its founding assembly.  Similarly, together with our affiliate in Hong Kong the Federation of Asian Domestic Workers Association (FADWU) started the campaign in Hong Kong and the Philippines to do away with exorbitant agency fees and unscrupulous manpower agencies. Together with our affiliates and partners, we also support the rescuing of migrant domestic workers and filing cases where appropriate against abusive employers. This is aside from the campaign and advocacy on issues to support the rights and welfare of domestic workers and migrant workers in general.

Likewise, In February of this year the IDWF has formulated its 5-year strategic plan, which includes the support of organizing migrant DWs in at least 10 countries, namely: Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Paraguay/Argentina and Canada.  They will be organized by IDWF affiliates in sending and receiving countries so that they can have a full understanding of the particular needs and issues of migrant DWs, resulting in empowerment, self-determination, and improved working conditions. In order to achieve this, we endeavor to campaign and highlight issue of migrant domestic workers; organizing more migrant domestic worker in sending and receiving countries; Increased awareness amongst decision makers in sending and receiving governments regarding the importance of bi-lateral agreements that protect domestic workers; awareness raising through media reports and releases regarding the situation of domestic workers and promoting the rights of domestic workers; and requests for domestic work-place inspections and or employment agencies; among other issues.

Having said that, the IDWF hopes to do the piloting of the said initiative in the Philippines in two areas namely; the SOCSKSARGEN area and Western Visayas.  We hope that after this founding assembly and strategic planning, we could continue the partnership towards decent work of migrant workers more so to domestic workers. Once again our congratulations!

[1] http://esa.un.org/unmigration/documents/The_number_of_international_migrants

[2] http://www.un.org/en/ga/68/meetings/migration/pdf/International%20Migration%202013_Migrants%20by%20origin%20and%20destination.pdf

[3] http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/lang--en/index.htm

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