BWI CONNECT BWI’S GLOBAL CAMPAIGN ON MIGRANT WORKERS RIGHTS
Definition 1. Internal migrants (China and India) 2. Cross-border migrants (Nepal and India) 3. Immigrants (permanent migrant workers) 4. Refugees and asylum seekers (Syria, Myanmar, Sub-Saharan Africa) 5. Temporary employment migrants (467 visa, H-1B visa, EPS, employers sponsorship like kafala system)
Global Migration Flow
Projected Change in Labour Force
Top Migration Corridors
Labour Migration in Construction Industry 1. Within BWI Sectors, particularly in the construction sector, there has been a history of migration. 2. Due to globalization taking different forms. 3. Shift from Permanent to Temporary Migration. 4. 40% of migrant workers hired through recruiting agencies in developed countries are in manufacturing and construction.
BWI CONNECT 1. At the 3 rd BWI World Congress in Bangkok in 2013, BWI once again reaffirmed support for the BWI Global Campaign for Migrant Workers Rights in the frame of BWI Connect which was launched in 2010. 2. One of BWI’s Impact Priorities: Migrant Rights. 3. Organize migrant workers on the basis of “equal pay and working conditions for equal work in the same work place.”
Three Clusters • Strategic campaigns • Internal trade union Organizing development • Global governance of migration • Bilateral and Regional Free trade agreements BWI CONNECT Policy • Recruitment Policy Advocacy • Temporary Employment schemes • Pro-migrant worker policies and programs • Public Campaigns • Migrants Networks Communication • SMS Help line and Essential services • Migrants in Distress • Fighting xenophobia and racism
BWI 2014-2017 Strategic Plan Unions Jobs Rights • Organizing • Occupational • Campaign to workers in Safety and defend Trade MNC Health Union Rights • Organizing • Campaigning • Global workers in against Campaign Infrastructure Precarious for migrant projects Work workers • Promoting • Combating rights • Promoting Forest illegal logging Certification gender • Global Sports equality and youth Campaign employment.
2015 Key Expected Results and Outcomes 1. BWI Unions and Structures have recruited 20,000 migrant workers. 2. At least 15 affiliates have developed migration policies and have started to recruit migrant workers 3. 6 Memorandum of understanding between unions are operationalize 4. Kafalas system and employment sponsorship program are reformed in for countries 5. Establishment of a Global Migration Network
Major 2015 Actions and Activities 1. Asia- Pacific Seminar on “Migration and Trade Unions: Potentials and Challenges” in Manila (8 -9 April) 2. Latin America and the Caribbean Seminar on “Migration and Trade Unions: Potentials and Challenges” in Managua (4 -5 September) 3. Africa- MENA Seminar on “Migration and Trade Unions: Potentials and Challenges” in Amman (16 - 18 September) 4. Global Migration Conference in The Hague (5-7 October) 5. World Day on Decent Work Action: Focus on Migration (7 October)
Regional Priorities 1. Mediterranean 2. Gulf Region 3. Southeast Europe 4. Central Asia 5. Southeast Asia 6. East Africa 7. Central America 8. Mercosur
Examples of Organizing Successes Central Asia 3,625 members recruited mainly from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan in Russia. 200 migrant workers recruited by Europe Kazakhstan Organising campaigns Tajikistan union has institutionalized implemented throughout Europe a program that address recruitment, (Germany, UK, Italy, Norway, provide information, and facilitate Sweden, Netherlands) referral and service in Russia. UNIA has a membership of 51% of immigrant workers and Asia and Pacific 37 of migrant workers. 10,000 members recruited in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Latin America and Caribbean South Korea, Nepal, and India. Mutual cooperation and regular Haitian migrant workers exchanges amongst unions . organized in Brazil. Organizing of Nicaraguan migrant workers in Qatar. Gulf Region and Middle East Caribbean has a sub-regional Qatar Organizing Project has cooperation promoting organizing outreached to at least 1,000 of workers in the region. migrant workers. Mutual cooperation between unions in Jordan and Egypt Migrant workers network established in Lebanon.
Organizing Case Study: Malaysia • Total work force: 11 million. • Migrant workers 1.8 million to 3 million. • Of this 1 million undocumented. • Migrant workers from 20 countries. • 300,000 domestic workers. • 270,000 construction workers (60-80%) • 150,000 furniture and wood processing (90% )
Case Study of Malaysia: Organizing Strategies 1. Placement of project organizer from Nepal working with BWI affiliates in Malaysia recruiting migrant workers. 2. Advocating for legislative changes so that migrant workers who join trade unions will not be deported. 3. Minimum Wage Campaign 4. Legal aid service for migrants in distress. 5. Regional Cooperation between BWI, PSI, UNI and national centers in Malaysia, Nepal and Indonesia.
SMS HELP LINE SYSTEM 1. Connecting migrant workers with unions 2. Linking unions in countries of origin and destination 3. One-stop-shop referral, advice and assistance for migrant workers 4. Links with NGOs and support services 5. Initial pilot in Malaysia 6. Requests for advice or assistance will be general and specific
SMS HELP-LINE OPERATIONS • Worker sends SMS for assistance or advice • Union organiser can receive and respond to SMS from anywhere • Organiser can provide direct assistance or link workers with relevant union and organisations for assistance
SMS Help Line
Tools for Organizing: Migrant Workers Rights Guide
Case Study: Switzerland 1. Construction sector history of migrant work force: • 1890s: Italians for large infrastructure projects • 1910: 40% of the work force were foreign and of this 44% were Italians • 1960s and 1970s: Italy • 1970s: Spain and Turkey • 1980s and 1990s: Former Yugoslavia and Portugal • 1990s and 2000: Germany, Portugal, and former Yugoslavia
Switzerland: Migrant Population Proportion of foreign residents is 22.5% In the EU comparison, formally higher proportion of migrants to Italy the resident population. Migrant population composition in 2010 Germany However: the Portugal naturalisation ratio at 288'962 Serbia 2.8% is rather low in the France EU comparison. 439'031 Turkey 17% About 600,000 migrants Spain 26% could request Macedonia naturalisation according Kosovo to current rules Austria Other (however: procedure, costs) 15% 254'192 2% 36'581 3% 42'535 4% 12% 59'858 4% 64'167 4% 8% 5% 208'342 70'836 91'815 136'249
Migrants Workers by Industries
UNIA Activities and Initiatives 1. Organizers from Migrant Communities (Serbia, Kosovo, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Poland) 2. Migrant Worker structures by language, regional culminating as a national conference. 3. Migrant Worker training and leadership skills development. 4. Production of information and publications. 5. Policy advocacy on pro-migrant worker issues.
Nexus of Migrant Workers Rights and Sports Campaign for Decent Work 1. The upcoming major global sports events work force will consist of migrant workers • 2018 World Cup in Russia (Central Asia, Ukraine, and Southeast Europe) • 2022 World Cup in Qatar (South Asia and Southeast Asia) • 2018 Winter Olympics (Central Asia and Southeast Asia) 2020 Summer Olympics (East Asia and • Southeast Asia)
Global Strategy 1. Engagement with International Sports Agencies (FIFA and IOC) 2. Engagement with National Governments 3. Engagement with Multinational Construction Companies 4. Multi-media campaigns
National Organizing Strategy 1. Russia, South Korea, and Japan Developing and implementing organizing • strategies with BWI affiliates where there is inclusion of outreach to migrant workers. Qatar 2. • Country of origin organizing • Engagement with MNCs to establish workers committees • Community organizing in Qatar Exploring direct organizing •
Tools for Organizing: Public Awareness Campaign
Tools for Organizing: BWI Connect Migration Blog
Union power Worker BWI Power Power
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