MIGRANT WELFARE FUND A General Overview Marianito D. Roque Vientianne, Laos 26 May 2015
Asean Economic Environment • Economic disparity among Asean neighboring countries • Asean economic community in 2015 (unhampered flow of goods and services) • Increasing external migration from the GMS • Asean declaration on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers
Asean Migration Environment • Freer movement of professionals; MRAs on qualification of professionals • More than 1.5M(or more) low-,or un-skilled migrants from GMS are in Thailand doing 3-D jobs • Increasing number of undocumented flow to Thailand and lately, to Indonesia & Malaysia by boat
“WHY” do you need Welfare Programmes for Migrant Workers? • Increasing flow of unskilled migrants • Not covered by most labour laws at the destination countries; unprotected work • Vulnerable to physical, work-related, psychological abuses • Protection of workers, beyond geographical boundaries
‘WHAT” is a Migrant’s Welfare Programme? • In partnership with migration regulatory mechanism, it provides intervention services to workers at the destination states • Employment compensation mechanism for nationals working outside of the home state • Final recourse for migrants in-distress • Support organization between families and migrants, a “bridge.”
A Welfare “Fund” • Derived either from employers, licensed Derived either from employers, licensed recruitment agencies, and workers; or a combination of payors • Frequency of payment depending on policy (annual, per contract, per vacation) • Subscribed through voluntary membership, or by compulsory payment through migration regulatory agency • The Fund pays the cost of rendering welfare services to members
How does it operate? • Supplements the social security and workmens’ compensation benefit of workers • Covers nationals who work outside their home country • Through mediation , helps conciliate disputes between foreign employers and their nationals in a foreign setting • Excludes from its programme menu the benefits that are already covered by an approved employment contract
Organization • Policy Board, to provide directions • Secretariat, or Welfare Fund Organization, to deliver the programmes and services • Independent audit, for check and balance • Central Bank and money managers, for collection, deposit and investment
What it does • Prepare migrants to integrate Prepare migrants to integrate • Explain the contract • Mediate disputes • Assist the distressed • Compensate for loss of life and limb • Educate • Organize support network • Prepare migrants to return
Challenges How to start (law, policy, decree, order) start-up, organizing and learning process Sustainability Transparency Width and depth of information (substance and reach) Value-for-money; Initial Funds for 2-3 years
ILO Welfare Fund Feasibility Study for the GMS Document and Study present state of migration management Identify needs for a migrant welfare programme Analyze the structural and legal capacities of the three GMS countries to provide migrant services Create a blueprint for the establishment of Migrant Welfare Programmes and Fund, from among the GMS states
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