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Apr 26, 2022 09:57 AM
Author: International Labour Organization
Publishing Date:
2022
Category: Research
This report presents a summary of the forthcoming technical report on a 2020–21 review of Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which are available to citizens of Pacific island countries (PICs). This review was carried out as part of the project “Enhancing Protection and Empowerment of Migrants and Communities Affected by Climate Change and Disasters in the Pacific Region”, otherwise known as the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security Programme, led by the International Organization for Migration alongside the ILO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, with the Platform on Disaster Displacement and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The review consists of two components. The first component is a legal review of the SWP and the RSE that considers the extent to which the policies and laws under which these schemes operate are consistent with international human rights standards, including international labour standards. The second component is a review of the two schemes in practice, particularly from the point of view of the seasonal workers, based on interviews with seasonal workers in four participating PICs – Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa and Vanuatu – and consultations
with key stakeholders (see list in the Annex). Based on the legal review and the review of the schemes in practice, recommendations are presented for improving recruitment practices and labour standards, enhancing the participation of women and marginalized groups, and increasing the degree to which the schemes are consistent with international human rights and labour law. After summarizing the main findings of the technical report, the principal emphasis of this summary report is on the recommendations.
The Jakarta Post, ASEAN, 15 November 2022 - Central banks from five ASEAN member states have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on regional cross-border payments between countries, in a move that will bring multiplier effects to people and businesses within the region.
South China Morning Post, China, 15 November 2022 - Many organisations aspire to long-term growth, but a charity offering support and shelter to exploited female migrant workers in Hong Kong has a vision of a different kind.
Online Khabar, Nepal, 15 November 2022 - By coincidence, the general elections in both Nepal and Malaysia, one of the biggest hosts for Nepali migrant workers, are scheduled to run one day apart from each other this weekend. Not surprisingly, in both cases, local citizens and foreign observers are paying close attention not only to the competing candidates and party manifestoes but also to the likely political shifts that will happen after the elections.
Vietnam Plus, Vietnam, 15 November 2022 - The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on November 14 announced a study report on women migrant workers in ASEAN countries’ laws and policies.
India Blooms, China, 14 November 2022 - Lockdowns in China’s southern manufacturing hub of Guangzhou have sent migrant workers scurrying for home and left the thousands of micro- and small-sized enterprises that they rely on for employment wondering whether they will be able to survive the latest onslaught of COVID-19.
The Spectator, China, 14 November 2022 - When the city of Zhengzhou, home to the world’s largest iPhone factory, locked down recently, some of its factory workers had nowhere to go. Hoping to escape Covid restrictions, many of them walked miles along motorways to their hometowns, their journey captured by video and shared on social media in China and out.
Politiko, Philippines, 13 November 2022 - The Philippines is committed to working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada on various initiatives to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday.
Ministry of Manpower Singapore, Singapore, 12 November 2022 - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has developed a new preventive health framework named Project MOCCA (Management of Oral and Chronic Conditions and Ailments) to enhance the care of chronic and oral disease among migrant workers (MWs). This complements other initiatives in the primary healthcare system in building a strong support ecosystem that will care for MWs’ healthcare needs. Some 300,000 MWs stand to benefit from Project MOCCA.
Japan Today, France, 12 November 2022 - Amnesty International has made an urgent plea less than 10 days before the World Cup in Qatar kicks off for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to commit to a compensation package for the migrant workers who built the tournament's gleaming stadiums.