The Philippines' exporting labour was initially a temporary solution to address an economic crisis and labor surplus back in the 1970s. Today, this sector has grown into a significant economic force, with over two million Filipinos being sent to work abroad annually. Overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) remittances account for nearly ten percent of the Philippines' gross domestic product, highlighting the crucial role of migrant workers in the nation's economy. Although they significantly shape the country’s economy, the Philippines lacks sufficient support systems for returning workers’ reintegration and lags in addressing the underlying causes that drive people to migrate for work. Since 2018, AWO International and the Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines (CMA) have been working to enhance local migration governance for OFWs and their families.
Milestones and Future Plans
Since the start of this partnership, CMA has been working closely with migrant associations composed of migrants and their families to amplify their voices and concerns. It has also been engaging with local government, national agencies, and other civil society organizations in advancing policies and programs that are favorable and beneficial for the migrant community. These involvements have resulted in the establishment of several migrant help desks and resource centers across the Philippines, institutionalized through local ordinances and laws to cater to migrants’ concerns.
To capitalize on the progress made, the project continues for another cycle. It will keep on engaging these groups, address the operational challenges experienced by the desks and centers, and consolidating lessons learned from everyone’s experiences in establishing local migration governance. These actions seek to lead to developing and adopting better strategies to ensure that programs and services for migrants and their families are comprehensive and effective.
Human rights are something we’re all born with — they don’t disappear just because we cross a border. But the laws that are supposed to protect those rights vary from one country to another, and sometimes they don’t exist at all. […] As global and Philippine labor migration keeps changing, CMA stays committed to standing up for the rights of Filipino migrants and their families through advocacy and by pushing for a more inclusive migration policy.
Ellene Sana, Executive Director of CMA Philippines
Our Partner on the Ground: CMA
CMA envisions a society where justice, good governance, and equal opportunity prevails – one where migrants can enjoy equal rights and protection regardless of their nationality, religion, gender, occupation, or status. Since 2002, it has been dedicated to promoting the protection of the rights of overseas Filipinos workers and their families. They do this through policy lobbying and advocacy, research and informational campaigns, networking, capacity building, and providing direct assistance.
Labor migration and women’s rights are closely interconnected — members of CMA Philippines take to the streets for this cause as well, as seen here during the Women’s March 2018.
Migration results not only from limited economic opportunities but also from many other factors like armed conflict, frequent natural disasters, and environmental degradation.
Labor migration is widespread; it requires extensive partnerships for effective advocacy. The project builds support networks across sectors and geographic ocations to mainstream the migration and development agenda.
Projectinfo
| Project | Fostering Resilience in Local Migration Governance |
|---|---|
| Place/Region | Philippines – Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Dinagat Islands; and Cotabato and Mindanao from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao |
| Partner | Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) https://centerformigrantadvocacy.com/ |
| Activities | Networking, policy lobbying and advocacy, research |
| Duration | 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2026 (cooperation since 2018) |
| Budget | 218,000€ (3 years) |
| Sponsor | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
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