Philippines calls for protection of migrant workers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines yesterday called on the private sector to continue to be a partner of the government in protecting the rights and dignity of migrants and migrant workers in countries in crisis.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Cecilia Rebong reiterated the role of the private sector as the government’s partner in protecting migrants.

Rebong said it is important that governments hear “the private sector perspectives and ideas on how we can do better to protect migrants trapped in a country experiencing a sudden crisis.”

“Governments have a lot to learn form the private sector,” Rebong said before the Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) initiative consultation with the private sector.

She cited the concept note of the consultation that “partnerships between governments and the private sector are essential to identifying practical, cost effective and sustainable ways to assist and protect migrants and facilitate better outcomes for their home, host communities and employers.”

Rebong noted that “the Philippines remains deeply committed and actively engaged in the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants.” 

She added that this commitment is enshrined in domestic laws such as the Migrant Workers Act and the Philippine Foreign Service Act.

Rebong said at the end of 2014, “there are 9,070,429 Filipinos working and/or residing in more than 200 countries… [and] are migrants in countries that are particularly prone to crises.”

The ambassador shared that the Philippines has established a crisis preparedness and response structure for problems overseas that adversely affect a large number of Filipinos.