MFA Cautions Against Ignoring Migrant Workers Amidst the Global Crisis
— February 5, 2009Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) is profoundly concerned about the intensifying global economic meltdown and its impact on migrant workers.
Around the world, countries have prospered as migrant workers build the infrastructure and fuel the engines of their economies. Yet during economic downturns, migrants have been accused of depressing wages and stealing local jobs. As millions of working people are let go amidst the mounting the economic crisis, politicians have begun to exploit the recession to instill fear in job loss and promote classes of workers. Statements such as “locals first” have become divisive strategies that set migrant workers against national workers. Couched in racism, “local first” policies are frequently used to justify attacks on migrants and are cheap attempts to absolve government of responsibility.
Unemployment, subcontracting and other policies that diminish rights and increase worker “flexibility” are driven by a concern for profit margins over people. Employers and governments, the staunchest supporters of the neo-liberal paradigm, must be held to account.
View the full statement : MFA Cautions Against Ignoring Migrant Workers Amidst the Global Crisis
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