IOM-MPI Issue in Brief No. 1 - Labour Migration from Colombo Process Countries: Good practices, challenges and ways forward

International migration has occurred throughout history and regions of the world. Human mobility to, from and within Asia, however, has certain distinctive features, and Asia represents arguably the most dynamic region, with significant intra- and extra-regional migration and some countries being simultaneously origins of and destinations for migrants. 

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific today launched an issue briefs series focusing in particular on labour migration in the region. The eight-part series also will examine diaspora engagement in Asia and climate-induced migration.

The first issue brief, Labour Migration from the Colombo Process Countries, examines labour migration from the 11 Colombo Process countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam). In 2010, an estimated 4.2 million workers migrated from these countries through official channels, many leaving on a temporary basis to work in the Middle East. 

The Philippines sent the largest number (nearly 1.5 million), followed by India (641,000) and Indonesia (576,000). Overall, an estimated 44.7 million migrants from the region are living outside their country of origin. 

Since 2005, the Colombo Process countries have taken concrete, proactive steps to manage the migration flows and protect their citizens working abroad, strengthening their legislative and administrative frameworks addressing recruitment regulation and welfare protection, as well as signing new accords with key destination countries. Despite the progress, however, the brief details a number of remaining challenges and highlights 10 possible areas of focus for governments.

“Governments in Colombo Process countries face a formidable task: creating efficient and equitable migration systems that benefit labour migrants and their families while contributing to long-term economic growth and development in countries of origin and destination,” said Andy Bruce, IOM regional director for Asia and the Pacific.

In June, IOM and MPI will publish the second issue brief, this one focusing on migrant health issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Subsequent briefs will be published every month through December, and will be available at IOM Online Bookstore and Migration Policy Institute.

 

Migrant and cities: Research report on recruitment, employment, and working conditions of domestic workers in China

This study on domestic workers in China was conducted under the EU–China Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Support Project, a collaboration between the International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Organization, funded by the European Union. It examines the current situation of domestic workers in China with a focus on the case study of Beijing, including domestic workers’ recruitment, employment, working conditions, social security, accessibility to legal protection, and complaint mechanisms. The study identifies the gaps in the national policies and practices concerning domestic workers in China in light of international standards and good practices.

In addition, the study provides relevant policy recommendations to narrow the gaps with regard to international instruments and to promote the legitimate rights of domestic workers in China. The study is not only an illustration of the socioeconomic impact of migration on development – and urbanization in particular. It is an expression of hope that domestic work may transition from the informal to the formal economy and become a fully-fledged urban labour market in its own right in China’s near future.

 

Vulnerabilities and Risks of Exploitation Encountered by Vietnamese Migrant Workers

The qualitative research explores vulnerabilities and risks of exploitation faced by Vietnamese migrant workers during recruitment, employment at destinations, and upon return to Viet Nam.

The report captures the experiences of Vietnamese migrant workers on their journeys to most popular destinations – Japan, Taiwan Province of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea. It aims to support development of strategies by State policymakers and stakeholders to further strengthen protections of Vietnamese migrant workers from exploitative recruitment and employment practices.

It is part of the wider effort of IOM to support progress towards the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and realization of the migration-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The study was funded by the IOM Development Fund and the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery.

 

Comparative Reintegration Outcomes between Forced and Voluntary Return and Through a Gender Perspective

This report presents the outcomes of two combined research projects: 1) “Comparative reintegration outcomes in forced and voluntary returns”, and 2) “Understanding and implementing gender-sensitive sustainable reintegration”. The aims of these projects were to study differences in reintegration outcomes between forced and voluntary returnees, and male and female returnees in various return contexts and by identifying other factors that affect reintegration outcomes at the individual, community and structural level.

The projects were commissioned by IOM under the EU-IOM Knowledge Management Hub, funded by the European Union, and designed and implemented by a research team based at the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG), Maastricht University.

Research for this report was conducted in six countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, El Salvador, the Gambia, Nigeria and Somalia), using a mix of methods. The methodology consisted of the analysis of quantitative data collected by IOM country missions and the research team using the RSS tool, and the analysis of qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews with returnees, family members of returnees and key informant interviews.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - EN

REPORT - EN

COUNTRY PROFILES - EN

RESUMEN EJECUTIVO - ES

INFORME FINAL - ES

PERFILES DE PAÍS - ES

 

Labour Migration in Asia: Protection of Migrant Workers, Support Services and Enhancing Development Benefits

This is the second volume of Labour Migration in Asia. The first volume (2003) looked at trends, challenges and policy responses in countries of origin. This volume describes and makes an assessment of specific initiatives in selected countries of origin to (1)protect migrant workers through the regulation of recruitment and setting of minimum standards in employment contracts, (2)provide support services to migrant workers through pre-departure orientation and a welfare fund and (3)enhance the development benefits of labour migration through training, skills development and remittances.

The articles are written by labour migration specialists and practitioners from the countries concerned and have been commissioned by IOM, the Department for International Development (UK) and the Asian Development Bank.

 

IOM-MPI Issue in Brief No. 4 - Regulating Private Recruitment in the Asia-Middle East Labour Migration Corridor

The Middle East represents one of the most sought-after and competitive labour markets in the world, with an estimated 10 million contract workers in the Gulf states alone – 70 per cent of whom are Asian. 

The vast majority of this temporary labour movement is brokered by recruitment agencies; and with the supply of labour overwhelmingly outweighing demand, oversight of recruitment practices is extremely difficult. Migrant workers are willing to pay a stiff premium to work in the Middle East, even in the face of onerous placement fees and less-than-ideal work and living conditions once at destination. 

In Regulating Private Recruitment in the Asia? Middle East Labour Migration Corridor, author Dovelyn Rannveig Agunias examines how sometimes unscrupulous recruitment agencies take advantage of the migrants they purport to serve, by charging excessive placement fees and offering expensive pre-departure loans. 

The issue brief, the fourth in a series launched by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the International Organization for Migration’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, discusses the policy options that could be implemented to curb abuses by increasing government intervention in recruitment operations. 

Available policy levers for regulating recruitment practices are many and should aim to achieve the following overarching goals: (1) reduce the number of recruitment agencies to an optimal level to prevent cut-throat competition, (2) bring subagents and brokers into the formal sector, (3) regulate transactions among recruiters and between recruiters and employers and (4) harmonize regulations governing recruitment agencies at origin and destination. 

The issue brief suggests that governments at both origin and destination should become involved by introducing parallel measures (such as provision of equal treatment and basic rights) that empower labour migrants and give them the needed negotiating leverage in an otherwise unequal employment relationship. 

The IOM-MPI issue briefs, a monthly joint-publication offering succinct insights on migration issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region today, are available at IOM Online Bookstore and Migration Policy Institute.

 

Lessons Learned Part 3: Policy and programme responses to unfree labour in destination countries for migrant women workers

This document describes the lessons learned by the Work in Freedom programme on policy and programme responses to unfree labour in destination countries for migrant women workers. This compilation was preceded by an earlier edition of Lessons Learned in October 2021 on recruitment of migrant workers, and another one in April 2021, on outreach to migrant women in areas of origin. It documents the lessons learned by the Work in Freedom Programme regarding policy and programme responses to unfree labour in destination countries for migrant women workers.