Rey Asis’ Intervention in the Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference
The Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference, held in November 2023, set sights on tackling crucial issues facing the Asia Pacific, a region home to 60% of the world's population. Convened by UN ESCAP and UNFPA, it reviewed progress on development declarations and programs, while highlighting intersecting population and development challenges. The conference coincided with significant anniversaries and milestones, like the 75th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, underscoring the urgency of addressing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
As the Asia and the Pacific experience diverse demographic shifts, including aging populations, declining fertility rates, and increased migration, the conference acknowledged these complexities and recognized the critical juncture many countries face.
Mr. Rey Asis, Programme Coordinator of Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants provided critical insights on the panel discussion about inequalities and social exclusion, and rights in the thematic discussion on achievements, challenges, gaps, and emerging issues in the implementation of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development, as well as the PoA of the ICPD:
From your work with migrants, please discuss how inequalities affect migrants and their families in countries of origin, destination, and transit? Why are migrants often left behind, in particular women migrants and children who migrate or remain in the countries of origin?
Inequalities migrants experience post-COVID pandemic have not abated but tragically worsened. Asia Pacific is where 115 million migrants come from and destination for 62 million. The majority of them are temporary migrant workers and travel intra-regionally or within Asia Pacific. The general erosion of migrants’ rights was exposed and exacerbated during COVID when many were the first to lose their jobs, exempted from aid and health services, and tagged as virus carriers. The continually degrading rights situation of migrants can be attributed to the forced and permanently flexible nature of their work and hence visa situation. How does this affect them then? Even before they leave the country, they are charged exorbitant fees and lured into money-lending agencies to pay them. By the time they arrive in their destination countries, they are already heavily in debt. Information provided to migrants in terms of their rights, access to health services, or redress, is minimal if not absent. Systemic xenophobia and discrimination are felt in policies that translate into attitudes and treatment of migrants rendering them feelings of insecurity, isolation, or subservience. And this inequality is multiplied in layers. First as migrants. Then by their work situation. Then as women. Then by the color of their skin. Then by their sexual orientation. Migrants would feel so small that many of them accept the inhumane treatment as normal or deserved and should be thankful that they have been allowed to work. I think we need to change this. But now, we witness various forms of trafficking - education trafficking or when students are lured into fake schools overseas with the promise of a path toward employment and permanent residence, into cyber trafficking, and slavery. And the proof of being a trafficking victim lies in the migrants themselves. There is also observed repression in many migrant destination countries. Migrants are not allowed to form or join organizations and unions, peaceably assemble whether on the streets or online, and migrants’ rights defenders are criminalized, threatened, and deported. This silencing is deafening but migrants themselves are resisting. We have seen women migrants raising awareness on their rights as women, as workers. They organize themselves, have conversations with women from host countries, and seek help from their spouses and their fellow sisters to take care of their children while they organize and develop campaigns.
Forced migration is severely rampant in the region due to several factors – lack of decent work with livable wages, disasters and climate crises, and militarization, to name a few.
Women migrants do not have more opportunities in terms of better livelihood. They are often provided jobs for domestic workers. It shows how the subjugation of women transforms from the national level to the regional Level.
Migrants often face unique vulnerabilities. In your experience, what are the key elements of an effective policy or programme that addresses the needs and rights of migrants and their families?
I would like to share 5 key elements of an effective policy or program that addresses the needs and rights of migrants and their families.
First we need to acknowledge migrants as people with rights and needs like everybody else, and not simply for their economic contribution.
This can be realized through enactment and enforcement of national laws that uphold the labor rights of migrant workers, ensure their access to services like health including sexual and reproductive health rights, and include them in government aid, rescue and recovery programs in times of crisis like the COVID pandemic. At the sending countries, return and reintegration programs need to be safe, dignified, and sustainable, and programs ensure returned migrants' access to health, government support, employment opportunities, social safety nets/protection, and housing, among others. These should be in accordance with government commitments to international conventions and laws protecting migrants and people regardless of their status.
In 2025, the 2nd regional review of the Global Compact for Migration will be held. This is a great opportunity for our region's national leaders to enforce their national action plans as they champion the GCM, encourage other governments to implement the GCM, and strongly domesticate laws that champion migrants' labor, health, and human rights.
And yesterday while listening to our leaders, I wish we could bridge the gap between the achievements and actions of governments and the collective reality of migrants and their families on the ground. We can do this by enabling the environment for CSOs, trade unions, and most especially grassroots migrant organizations and leaders to meaningfully and effectively engage in the process toward full recognition of the rights and well-being of migrants and their families. Allowing them to peaceably assemble, form organizations, and respect their diverse opinions. As Ms. Gita Sen said yesterday, by inviting and providing space for migrants at the same table to talk about migration, discuss the challenges collectively, and work towards resolving them, we can truly say migrants are not outsiders anymore, not second-class citizens, excluded from everyone, but are part of the society they truly belong.
And finally, address the roots of forced migration and displacement by creating jobs at home with living wages, justly and peacefully resolve political conflicts, uphold climate justice, and provide sustainable, human rights-based and environment-friendly solutions to systemic barriers we face.
When we meet again for the Eight Asian and Pacific Population Conference, what do you think will we have achieved by then, and what remains to be done? What should we focus on to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific by 2033 and are there any “low-hanging fruits”?
Countries having policies and laws and effective systems that have better outcomes for migrants in sending, transit, and receiving countries. Countries have adopted a collaborative approach to protect and promote migrant labor, health, and human rights.
Collaborative efforts by involving all the key stakeholders from the region working in the area of migration and development including governments, UN agencies, CSOs’ regional networks, and the migrant community.
Ensure the provision of comprehensive information and services including labor and health information to migrants at all stages of migration.
Create an enabling environment for migrants’ associations to strengthen the movement, particularly in receiving countries. Lobbying and advocacy with receiving countries to protect migrants’ rights.
Read more on the Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference here.
