At APMM’s APFSD side-event, grassroots organizations share perspectives on challenges and opportunities currently faced by migrants in Asia Pacific

At the sidelines of the 11th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), APMM, Films4Peace Foundation, and the UN Regional Network on Migration for Asia and the Pacific held a hybrid event last February 22 entitled, “Migration and Sustainable Development: Stronger International Partnership on Migration Governance to Tackle Global Challenges.” Through the side-event, government officials, the UN, and grassroots organizations were able to share their perspectives on the different challenges and opportunities existing for and in the migrants sector in the region.

The side-event aimed to raise awareness about the current conditions of migrants in Asia Pacific today and to increase understanding on how states, the UN, and migrants organizations can effectively work together in creating and implementing policies towards sustainable development. 

Lacking in support and meaningful participation

Despite statements by governments and multilateral institutions that migrants in Asia Pacific are sufficiently supported, Eni Lestari, Chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) shared about the actual realities faced by many migrants in the region. 

“During COVID-19, despite our role as frontline workers, we were not given social benefits by our governments”, lamented Lestari. Worse, the pandemic has given a wider leeway for the erosion of migrants’ rights extending until today. Under more dire conditions due to the impacts of COVID-19, many migrants and their organizations have stood up to voice out their demands for accessible social services. However, as Lestari highlighted, repression has worsened through surveillance and unfair immigration processes of governments and agencies. Such anti-migrant actions further shrinks the already limited civic space they have – a clear reflection of social exclusion and systemic violence which have been going on for years now. 

Lestari also addressed the persisting tokenistic space given to grassroots migrants organizations at the UN, the GCM, and in their own governments. She expressed how “many of the engagements in the past and up to now are tokenistic. Our presence and aspirations are not considered primary resources for policies… Most recommendations are not considered.” 

Similarly, Antonia Lilii from the First Pasefika Fono Network highlighted the lack of support given to migrants in New Zealand. With a new neoliberal government in place, the country has been expanding its efforts to decrease the migrant population. She shared how “[migrants] really have to go out of their way to get help. If not for unions, there is not much for them.” Moreover, supposed assistance from the home countries of migrants remains to be limited. Due to this, vulnerabilities multiply and many migrants are not able to attain the personal development they deserve.

Acceleration of efforts toward migrants’ empowerment

As migrants from Asia Pacific continue to experience obstacles both at home and host countries, the urgency to establish people-centered policies and programs have become more important than ever.     

While Lestari highlighted the crucial role of NGO’s and local community organizations in mobilizing resources for grassroots migrants organizations, she asserted that “Governments and the UN should create pathways [for migrants] to have access to freedoms and rights available [and that] grassroots migrants should be considered primary stakeholders in the migrants agenda.” She pointed out the need for development actors to provide financial and logistical assistance to migrants who wish to engage in policy spaces citing that their voices are crucial in shaping development decisions.    

She also called on governments and the UN to define the implementation of the GCM according to the actual needs of migrants, from the national to the regional and global level. Participation of migrants in the policy-making arena must not only be superficial but rather, must proactively involve the full understanding of the concrete realities happening to millions of migrants in the region.

Lilii asserted as well that home country governments must give ample support to their citizens living abroad and establish effective roadmaps for job creation. Through this, migrants can achieve personal development in their respective industries and communities without having to constantly navigate precarious situations. 

The side-event was able to become a platform to contribute ideas and narratives from grassroots organizations and the UN, especially with the upcoming 2nd Asia Pacific GCM Regional Review. Moving forward, governments and the UN must ensure that meaningful participation of migrants in all policy-making bodies and implementation processes is utmostly prioritized. Most importantly, they must uphold their duty of establishing programs that are anchored on human rights-based approaches and development justice – a step forward in shifting the power to the people.