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"We dream of a society where families were not broken up
by urgent need for survival. We dream and will actively work for a homeland where there is opportunity for everyone to live a decent and humane life."

“Preview of harsher things to come”
HK-based group condemns brutal arrest of an undocumented worker in S. Korea
“The brutal assault against a Chinese undocumented woman migrant worker in Daejon , South Korea by authorities is an omen of even more vicious acts to come against undocumented migrants. We condemn the brutality of the arrest as well as call to stop the crackdown on undocumented migrant workers in South Korea .” READ MORE

Staying almost a year in Saudi jail without a crime committed, an accused OFW now a freeman sans any assistance from RP post
An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today said an accused OFW who has spent 8 months in jail in Abha, Saudi Arabia for a crime he did not actually committed was freed last Sunday, March 22. READ MORE

MECO’s Move to Convince Employers to Adopt Labor Flexibility Measures Leads to Further Exploitation of OFWs in Taiwan
Instead of getting away with it, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) should be investigated for announcing that it has convinced Taiwanese employers to adopt labor flexibility measures on OFWs instead of retrenching them. In effect they have licensed the employers to further exploit their Filipino workers. This is in line with the President’s AO257 to ensure that the Labor Export Policy of the GMA regime remains unimpeded during this global recession. MECO is directly under the Office of the President. READ MORE

On Mandatory Psych Tests and new POEA employment contract
“RP gov’t is good at union busting and making excuses for ineptness to protect OFWS”
“With the new contract of the POEA and the implementation of the mandatory psychological testing, the Philippine government has shown what it is good for: breaking the ranks of organized migrants and cooking up excuses for its inutility to protect us.” READ MORE

Petition Letter Addressed to the National Tax Administration of Taiwan Urging it to Revoke its August 13, 2008 Regulation on Payment of 20% Income Tax for Migrant Workers
We organizations/individuals are calling for the revocation of the National Tax Administration of Taiwan's new regulation that all foreigners including migrant workers who would stay 183 days in any given year would need to pay 20% income tax starting January 2009. We deem this tax as oppressive and discriminatory and would not promote social justice as the government deems it in light of its ongoing tax reform package. READ MORE

An Appeal for International Support andSolidarity
Re: Unjust arrest of Three Migrants' Trade Union leaders in Korea
We are requesting your signatories to a petition for the release of the top leadeship of the Migrants Trade Union (MTU) in Korea and an end to its crackdown by the Korean government...READ MORE

Letter of Appeal to Declare Certain Provisions of the Nationality Law of Japan as Unconstitutional; and to Grant Japanese Nationality to Petitioners
There is an increasing number of children borne by mixed parents, particularly between women from the Philippines and Japanese men...READ MORE

Petition Addressed to Taiwan's Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) On the beatings of 4 Filipino workers in Formosa Plastics Group
We, individuals and organizations from within and outside Taiwan are deeply concerned with the beating up of four Filipino workers by security guards of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) in Mailiao, Yun Lin County last Aug. 2...READ MORE

URGENT ACTION: Assault of four protesters at the Philippines Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
We urge your immediate intervention to ensure that an impartial investigation be conducted regarding this incident...READ MORE

We too are workers and should be included in the SMW
Proposal for minimum wage for foreign domestic workers is just and reasonable
The Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) wishes to reiterate its position for inclusion of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) in the statutory minimum wage (SMW) based on just principles, internationally-upheld labour standards and reasonable applications of such principles and standards in Hong Kong. READ MORE

As 2nd Great Depression ushers in crackdown and attacks,
migrants’ struggle builds up
Migrant workers and refugees strengthen movement against crisis
This May Day, we will walk up in arms with our local brothers and sisters. READ MORE

“Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong Rally on May Day
Against Overcharging of Fees”
More than 500 Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Hong Kong under PILAR rallied today in front of the Indonesian Consulate against its government’s continued inaction against overcharging of placement fees. This would only result in greater financial hardships on more Indonesians targeted by the government to be deployed abroad especially that there is a global recession right now. READ MORE

Our Situation is not a subject for derision
Mr. Tsao’s “A War at Home” is a mockery of and assault on domestic workers’ rights and dignity
For the mockery and ridicule we are subjected to and for the license given to treat domestic workers harshly, we demand no less than a public apology from Mr. Tsao. READ MORE

14 Years since Flor Contemplacion’ s Death
OFWs remain marginalized and neglected despite hail as ‘Modern Heroes’; OFWs vow to resolutely advance, defend migrant workers rights and welfare
Migrante, OFWs and their families are aptly commemorating every 17th of March every year the death of Flor Contemplacion. March 17 is considered a significant historical event depicting the real plight of overseas Filipino workers that undeniably continue to worsen due to Arroyo’s administration’ s neglect and unparalleled disservice to OFWs despite being hailed as ‘Modern Heroes’. READ MORE

From Manila 2008 to Athens 2009,
join Migrants and Refugees speak in their own behalf!

PETITION DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR HAZEL, NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND MIGRANTS

"PETITION TO SAVE THE LIFE OF MAY VECINA"

"Please support nine Japanese-Filipino children together with their Filipina mothers who filed an appeal at the 38th Section of the Civil Court, Tokyo District Court and to the Minister of Justice in Japan."

You may view recent IMA events at
http://ima-2008.blogspot.com/

Foreign Brides Research
Psychosocial Profile and Perspectives of Foreign Brides
By the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Supported by the Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e.V. (EED)
May 2007

Attitude of the Local People to Foreign Brides
A Research Project by the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Supported by the Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e.V. (EED)
February 2007

This mini-research is part of the program of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) to combat sex trafficking. Though it is focused mainly on Filipino women, it can also be used to understand in general how sex trafficking works and its extent, especially in Third World countries

Internet Based Radio Program
Supported by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC)

Listen to:

APMM - Radio - Thai version

APMM - Radio - Bahasa version

APMM - Radio - Tagalog version

check out
blogspot for more news on migrant workers
Visit STOP THE KILLINGS Blogspot
to know more about human rights abuses in the Philippines

United for Foreign Domestic Workers' Rights blogspot

May 2009

HK local and migrant workers fight for inclusion of FDWs to statutory minimum wage

TWO MONTHS SINCE the Labour Advisory Board announced its recommendation to exclude foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in the statutory minimum wage (SMW), local media blitz continues to create public opinion apparently sowing fear and panic among employers based on unfounded fear of a significant wage increase in the event of FDWs’ inclusion.

...more News Digest

KASAMMAKO NEWSLETTER - Katipunan ng mga Samahan ng Migranteng Manggagawa sa Korea (Unity of Filipino Migrant Workers in Korea)

BATINGAW - official publication of MIGRANTE-Melbourne

MIGRANT FOCUS - The Monthly Newsletter of The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (Hong Kong) Society

PRIMER ON ABSENTEE VOTING IN THE PHILIPPINES

KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS GUIDE FOR FILIPINOS AND OTHER FOREIGN MIGRANTS IN JAPAN

THE TRUTH ABOUT ILLEGAL SALARY DEDUCTIONS TO INDONESIAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN HONGKONG

The Global Forum on Migration and Development
Development not for the grassroots migrants
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
September 2008

Download Proceedings in zip format

A CLOSER LOOK AT FORCED MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT AID: THE CASES OF PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA
A contribution of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) for the Reality of Aid – ASIA
24 June 2009
About four decades ago, development aid existed alongside the phenomenon of massive migration of peoples with not so much elaborate agenda and hullaballoo to policy-makers as it is now.

The Global Forum on Migration and Development
Development not for the grassroots migrants
Release date: 24 October 2008
The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is on its second year. Compared to other international gatherings of state representatives, it is relatively young. Yet, it has generated massive concerns already especially among the migrants and advocates for the rights and wellbeing of migrants.

Undocumented Migrants and Immigrants: Issues and Challenges for the Defense of Their Rights and Promotion of Their Wellbeing
Paper Presentation for the Founding Assembly of the International Migrants’ Alliance
By Ramon Bultron, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
15 June 2008, Hong Kong SAR

Sponsorship System and its Effects on Expatriate Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries*
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
July 2008

Submission of the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB) to the HK Executive Council on the suspension of the levy

Conflicts in Conflicts in the Asia Pacific and Economic Impediments to Peace
Prepared by: Mr. Ramon Bultron, APMM for the World Association of Christian Communications – Asia Region
Triennial Assembly and Seminar
Chiang Mai, Thailand
17 to 20 May 2008

The Struggle and Development of Migrants Movement:
The Philippine Experience
by Ramon Bultron, APMM
Presented at the 3rd International Conference on Transborder and Diaspora: Governance, Survival and Movements
October 7-8, 2006, Taipei
Organized by the Graduate Institute for Social Transformation Studies, Shih Hsin University, Taipei, Taiwan

International Conference on Border Control and Empowerment of Immigrant Brides
September 29, 30, 2007

ASIAN MIGRANT WORKERS' SUMMIT
Narrative Report
Hongkong, China
25 November 2007

A Critique of the new POEA Memorandum Circular No. 04 and the Ban on Direct Hiring
Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) and Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
30 January 2008

...check out more papers