Solidarity message at the Multi-stakeholder consultation on full-cycle national reintegration programme

By Mr Khalid Hassan, Director, ILO Country Office for the Philippines at the Multi-stakeholder consultation on full-cycle national reintegration programme, 8 December 2022, Manila, Philippines

Statement | Manila, Philippines | 08 December 2022
  • Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople and officials of the Department of Migrant Workers;
  • Executive Director Aileen Constantino-Peñas of Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiatives;
  • Ms Leila Rispens-Noel, Co-founder, WIMLER Foundation Hongkong-Philippines;
  • Colleagues from the ILO, IOM, and, UN Women;
  • Partners and stakeholders;
  • Ladies and gentlemen, magandang umaga (good morning)!
It is a pleasure to join you today. First, let me congratulate the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) led by Secretary Ople for spearheading this initiative.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasizes a rights-based, gender-inclusive approach to labour migration. Migrant workers often leave their countries in search for decent work. However, it is their human and labour right to return home safely and with dignity. Successful reintegration into their families, communities, the economy, and society is crucial.

The ILO believes return and reintegration should start before migration and continue during employment. Without respect for their rights, many migrant workers end up in low-paying jobs with unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.

They often pay high recruitment fees, face abuses, high debt burdens, and misleading information before departure. They suffer from exploitation, discrimination and violence and lack of social protection. This hinders their ability to save or return in dignity.

If labour migration is well-governed, fair, and effective, it can benefit migrant workers, their families, and host communities. Effective and good governance will foster strong cooperation across migration corridors and regions.

It should also be guided by international labour standards, and relevant ILO and UN conventions on return and reintegration programmes, including the Migration for Employment Recommendation (Revised), 1949 (No. 86), the Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97), and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

The ILO’s Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration and General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment offer further guidance.

The Philippines is seen as ahead of the curve on reintegration in the ASEAN region. However, as in many countries, fostering sustainable return and reintegration is a challenge with the rapidly changing global migration context and the future of work.

According to an ILO study on effective return and reintegration of migrant workers in ASEAN, challenges include lack of data on returnees and patterns of reintegration; lack of proper laws, policies, and institutions; stagnant home economic situations; inadequate and ineffective employment services; lack of information on services and programmes; absence of provisions for skills certification and skills recognition; poor social protection coverage; lack of coordination and awareness among different ministries and agencies and key stakeholders; stigmatization; and resource constraints.

Promoting social dialogue and collaborative efforts is essential, and this consultation is a key step.

The ILO, through the Safe and Fair and BRIDGE, supports sustainable and gender-responsive reintegration through local Migrant Resource Centers and OFW help desks. The “OFW Reintegration Advisor and Referral Pathways” is also being developed as a common framework and reintegration tool.

All these contribute to the Decent Work Country Programme of the Philippines and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as initiatives to promote social justice, and ensure a human-centred recovery based on the ILO’s Global Call to Action.

As I end, let me wish you a successful national consultation as we work toward an effective rights-based reintegration that leaves no one behind.

Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much)!