Regional Conference on Labor Migration Management in the Process of Regional Integration
Post-event Statement
The Regional Conference on Labor Migration Management in the Process of Regional Integration sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Chulalongkorn University took place at the IOM Regional Office for Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand from 27 to 30 May 2008. 33 senior government delegates and speakers from across the Asia and Pacific region took part in the four-day event to discuss regional and sub-regional trends and issues in labor migration management. Expert presentations provided an overview of the global and regional migration outlook, with additional focus on key thematic and conceptual areas such as migrant health and irregular migration, as well as mechanisms for intergovernmental collaboration. In addition to speaker presentations, government participants had an opportunity to learn from each other via country presentations which outlined national labor migration experiences and challenges, as well as policy responses. In an effort to encourage multilateral thinking and collaborative approaches to migration management, participants were separated into four sub-regional groupings on the final two days of the conference to examine common challenges as well as identify policies and mechanisms to address these challenges. Participants also discussed the trend and impact of greater regional integration as well as the need for closer collaboration on migration policies and management to more equally reap its benefits. Both migrant-sending and migrant-receiving countries shared their knowledge and perspectives on labor migration. While all sending countries experienced difficulties in monitoring and protecting migrant domestic workers, countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka illustrated their use of information technology to register, track, and manage dispatched and returning migrants. In addition, many countries are sponsoring a workers’ welfare fund through employer and recruitment fees and providing pre-departure orientations and overseas support mechanisms. Despite the trend towards digitization of immigration information, however, labor-receiving countries raised concerns about i) how to adequately monitor and assist unregistered irregular and illegal migrants, and ii) the lack of quality data which hinders effective fact-based decision-making. Overall, the proceedings were a spirited and fruitful affair. Sub-regional variations in migration patterns and trends allowed newer areas of circulation like Central Asia and Oceania to learn from the experiences of South and Southeast Asia. Participant interest in holding sub-regional conferences to discuss more specific issues in migration management was high, as was the fostering of a knowledge network amongst all the regional participants for future collaboration. |
Background
With current trend towards greater regional integration, in Asia and the Pacific, labor migration is expected to intensify, particularly skilled labors that may be needed to support the development of the regional production network and supply chain. To facilitate movement of skilled labor within the region, it is necessary to i) look at measures that could enhance the development of skills in a more concerted manner and ii) review current migration policies and practices to ensure that they are sufficiently supportive of intra-regional labor movement while providing necessary measures to address and minimize possible adverse impacts associated with such movement. These adverse impacts may include brain drain in skilled labor exporting countries, poor treatment of migrant workers, human trafficking, and social and gender discrimination.
Asian Development Bank Institute in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Chulalongkorn University will conduct a 4-day conference in Bangkok, Thailand from 27 to 30 May 2008. The conference will engage resource speakers and invite country delegates to participate in an in-depth discussion on the issues and challenges dealing with the effective management of cross-border migration of skilled labor in support of regional integration. Each session will be organized in collaboration with the core resource team of academics and experts from various partner institutes and organizations in the area of labor migration.
Objectives
The Objectives of the regional conference are: - Provide a platform for Asian senior policy makers to exchange views on current flows and trends, challenges and opportunities of cross-border labor migration, migration policies and practices;
- Introduce and promote the adoption of best practices on cross-border labor migration policies and management; and
- Facilitate cooperation to improve current migration policies and instruments at the national and regional level to better support regional integration.
Outputs
- Better understanding of the trend towards greater integration and the need for closer regional cooperation on labor migration to develop skilled labor and facilitate its movement to support the development of regional production network and supply chain
- Greater awareness of best practices on cross-border labor migration policies and management
- Knowledge network among the participants as well as between the participants and resource speakers;
- Executive Summary of Proceedings which includes the findings/outcome/recommendations of the conference
Participants
Expected attendees are government officials from Asia and the Pacific. Other public and private sector representatives may also be invited to participate in the workshop as resource persons/speakers.
Language
English (no interpretation would be provided)
Responsibilities
ADBI, IOM and Chulalongkorn University are jointly organizing the workshop. Participants are expected to actively participate in the seminar and group work activities. These include sharing of country experiences and practices, participating in group work sessions and, as a culminating activity, making a group presentation.
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