RATIONALE:

Migrant workers contribute significantly to the socio-economic, cultural and political well being of both host and sending countries. They deserve recognition and respect and have a right to dignity, fair, just, humane and equal treatment.

CAMPAIGN AIM:

Promote equal, fair and humane treatment, just living and working conditions, access to opportunity for advancement and well-being, and equal pay for equal work among migrant and local workers.

CAMPAIGN OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS:

OPPORTUNITIES

• Increasing recognition of MWs issues at the international level
• Capitalizing on existing national campaigns
• Linking up with trade unions and local workers groups
• Solidarity among workers (local and migrants)
• Opportunity to highlight good practices in certain countries
• Opportunity to improve the ASEAN social security community.
• Opportunity for recognition and visibility of migrants and their socio economic political and cultural contribution to both host and sending countries

RISKS

• Increasing discrimination in the context of global war on terror
• Deportation of workers if NGOs pushed too hard for the campaign
• Create friction among local and migrant workers
• Lack of political will from Sending countries to push for reform and changes
• Antagonize local population if campaign is pushed too hard

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES:

1. Highlight discriminatory practices and policies experienced by MWs based on race, nationality, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, faith, age, job categories and immigration status. [research component]
   
   • Identify existing initiatives, campaigns and partners working to address the above stated discrimination;
   • Establish links to the above to strengthen the campaign;
   • Identify the gaps in practice vis a vis standards and implementation.
2. To call for the ratification, implementation and monitoring of ILO conventions, CEDAW, MWC, anti discriminations and other UN conventions and to the passage of national legislations consistent with international standards
3. To expose and oppose the ill effects of neo liberal economic globalization
4. To raise public awareness on the positive socio cultural, political and economic contributions of migrant workers in both the host and sending countries.
5. Specifically call for the recognition of domestic work as work and its inclusion in the national, labour and social legislations.