Abuses and exploitative working conditions. Emotional stress and strained family relationships. Lack of preparation for their return and reintegration. These are just some of the realities that Filipino migrant workers and their family members face every day. While the Philippine government has taken several steps to improve the current situation and protection of migrants, poor enforcement of available programs and services and low engagement of actual migrants or their families in the policy discourse on migration governance are some of the factors that compound these issues.
Not only are migration journeys being caused by the lack of opportunities to make a decent living but, at present, many situations are aggravated by disasters, conflict, forced relocations, and the effects of climate change. Since 2018, AWO International and Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions (MMCEAI) have been working to address these through community awareness campaigns on migration-related policies, capacity building of community-based organizations composed of migrants and their families as well as civil society organizations focused on the protection of migrants’ rights, and partnering with the government develop functional protection and reintegration mechanisms.
I was a migrant worker for more than 15 years in Japan and then the Middle East. It is no secret that migrant workers in the informal sectors, such as domestic workers, are vulnerable to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. I joined the migrant's association in our community because I saw an opportunity to be of help to my fellow migrants and their families.
Maria Isabel Baguio
Milestones and Future Plans
Our engagement with MMCEAI has resulted in several achievements. Several local ordinances and mechanisms to promote the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their left behind families have been established while some are still in the pipeline for deliberation. Sixteen community-based organizations have also been organized and trained; they now support local governments in case management and referrals, as well as speaking on behalf of their community about migration and others. A civil society network exploring the aspects of the migration-environment, peace, and development nexus has been established with civil society organizations and other stakeholders across Mindanao. The current project intends to bank on the gains and lessons learned from the last five years of this engagement and scale it up, enabling these groups and organizations to be at the forefront of advocating for safe and regular migration in their respective communities.
Children face unique emotional and psychological challenges due to separation from their parents and caretakers. Our project engages them in community activities focusing on increasing their sense of belonging and developing various skills.
Apart from advocating for the protection of migrants’ rights, migrant groups are empowered to respond to the socio-economic needs and situation of their community.
Workshops strengthen civil society organizations in Mindanao in their efforts to promote migrant rights.
Information campaigns raise awareness about the risks of irregular labor migration and safe alternatives.
Projectinfo
| Place/Region | Davao City, Davao Region, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Partner | Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions Inc. (MMCEAI) |
| Activities |
|
| Duration | 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2026 (cooperation since 2018) |
| Budget | 208,000€ |
| Sponsor | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
You might also be interested in
Strengthening rights for migrant workers across borders
Hundreds of thousands of people leave Indonesia every year in search of better income. Many of them run the risk of becoming victims of abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Together with our partner organization - INFEST, we are committed to facilitating safe migration and promoting decent working conditions in Indonesia and Malaysia.
more information
Protecting migrant women from Lombok from human trafficking and violence
Poverty and a lack of job opportunities in many communities on the island of Lombok push people to migrate to seek better economic prospects; a large percentage of these migrants often become victims of human traffickers. Together with our partner organization – ADBMI, we are implementing a project to protect migrating women and men.
more information
Safe Migration: Support for Migrant Workers and Their Families in the Philippines
Filipino migrant workers often face numerous risks due to insufficient planning and a lack of protective mechanisms. Our project with Atikha aims to support migrant workers by improving the migration environment and assisting them and their families from pre-departure preparation to reintegration upon return.
more information