The panel discussion on the Objective 15 of the Global Compact for Migration, ‘Provide access to basic services for migrants,’ was jointly organized by the Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism , Cross Regional Center for Refugees and Migrants (CCRM) ,Civil Society Action Committee(CSAC) and Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA),which took place on 8th December, 2020.The event was moderated by Mr. William Gois, Regional Coordinator, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), who initiated the discussion by highlighting the importance of the GCM Objective 15, which is centered on provision of basic services for the migrant workers.
Migrants not well Captured in National Emergency Plans
Dr. Poonam Dhavan, Senior Migration Health Policy Advisor, International Organization for Migration, acknowledged that the GCM is coherent with other key global health policy frameworks like Global Action Plan for Promoting Health of Refugees and Migrants. In practice, this translates to inclusion of migrants in national health plans regardless of their status. In her remarks, she stated that the world is practically shut down by the pandemic and as a result, IOM is working to ensure that migrants across the world, who took a disproportionate hit from the pandemic, have access to the basic and vital social services such as health, education and shelter, by collaborating with national and regional governments. IOM is closely working with WHO in order to provide services for stranded migrants through facilities like mobile clinics. Dr. Poonam also added that despite the efforts being made to support stranded migrants, they are not well captured in national emergency plans of many countries and this has been a major setback. Nevertheless, Dr. Poonam eulogized the efforts of some countries like Portugal, Turkey and Singapore in ensuring that migrants, including those who are in the process of regularization, have equitable access as citizens to COVID related testing and care. Dr. Poonam concluded her presentation by stating that the present crisis has provided an opportunity for establishing the best coordination among various stakeholders at regional and international level, to ensure that all migrants have access to the basic services which are guaranteed to them by the international conventions.
“The pandemic raises a valid issue, not only about the need of access for vulnerable populations, but also…using it as an opportunity to rethink and repurpose how the UN agencies and governments…look at responding to outbreaks and dealing with socioeconomic impacts”: Dr. Poonam Dhavan
United Nations Working Group to Develop ‘Best Practices’ Documents
Dr. Kanokporn Kaojaroen, Country Support and Partner Coordination, Health and Migration Programme, Office of Deputy Director-General, World Health Organization, spoke about the activities of the working groups of United Nations network to improve access to services which are incorporated in GCM Objective 15. There are 6 working groups in total and the working group dealing with services comprise of 18 organizations, ranging from UN organizations like FAO, IOM,OHCHR, UN Women, and other CSOs and NGOs like Caritas Internationalisor the Red Cross, to name a few. The priority behind setting up this working group was to enable coordinated action on critical areas like health, water and sanitation, housing, education etc. Dr. Kaojaroen said that since the advent of pandemic,the network group has expanded its scope and began to look into other areas like child protection services, social protection services, gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive rights .The working group, along with developing policy brief on impact of pandemic and guidelines for ‘best practices’, is also working on promoting inclusion of migrants, not only during the pandemic when ‘no one is safe until everyone is safe’, but also beyond, Dr. Kaojaroen concluded.
Returning Filipino Migrants Provided with Stimulus Packages
Mr. Wilfred B Prilles Jr, City Planning and Development, City Government of Naga, Philippines, spoke about various services that the local authorities are providing in conjunction with national government to the returning overseas Filipinos. Mr. Prilles also highlighted the activities of the established Migrant Resource Center which has been complementing the work of government authorities in meeting the needs of migrants and assisting the returnees. Philippines has witnessed a huge inflow of returning migrants, most of them from Asia and Middle East, who have suffered wage loss. The goal is to “enable migrants at least come home in a safe manner, so they have continuedsem blance of continuity in their lives, and can go back abroad once the situation normalizes, if they choose to do so,” Mr. Wilfred stated. He also added that the government has set aside stimulus packages worth 20 million for business communities with the aim of mitigating the effects of COVID-19 and to provide succor to the local and international returnees in the form of initial capital.
COVID -19 Exposes Inefficiency in Health Sector
Dr. Edline Padilla-Dela Paz, Associate Professor, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, stated that a lot of gaps in social services were exposed by the COVID-19, especially in the public health sector, using Philippines as her case study. Returning migrants were experiencing unfair treatment and discrimination at various quarantine centers and they had to pay an exorbitant amount of money for testing, ranging between 3000-15,000Philippine pesos. Dr. Edline said that the present universal health care law in Philippines is not efficient enough and it seems as if it has been commercialized, which was suggested by its failure to meet the main health needs of the returnees and even those at home, due to high premium that they have to pay.
“The universal health care laws should have provided free quality services, but because it was banking on insurance as financing mechanism, it did not work since not everybody has PhilHealth, which… is also plagued with a lot of corruption.”: Dr. Edline Padilla-Dela Paz
Dr. Edline concluded by pointing out that it seems as if the government lacks political will when it comes to providing basic services for people, otherwise, they put other factors into consideration such as private sectors and foreign investors whenever they want to make decisions and this is having adverse effects on welfare of the citizens.
United Arabs Emirates: Online Platforms Offer Assistance Migrant Laborers
Mr. Paul Raymund Cortes, Consul General of the Philippines, Dubai and Northern Emirates, United Arab Emirates, shed light on various services offered to migrants coming to UAE, whose accessibility has been expanded by utilization of online platforms. Mr. Paul pointed out the example of TWAFOUQ service- government run online website through which migrants can not only access information and file complaints, but also settle scores, ensure quick registration and documentation , as well as initiate procedures to avail their rights. With regards to heath issues, all employees working in UAE are expected to be registered by their employers under health insurance scheme which shall be taking good care of their health. Mr. Paul Raymund also said that the Ministry of Labour, and the services provided by the government, are available through mobile apps, making them more visible and accessible.
However, COVID-19 has put forward severe challenges before this system. Migrants have lost jobs, are denied wages and many lack access to proper medical care to thwart the virus. Many immigrants even lack food to sustain themselves. Mr. Paul stated that these issues were looked into through the assistance of police and health personnel, and food items were being sent to the needy to tide over these precarious times. Consular Generals are sharing best practices and coordinating among themselves to make lives better for other nationals living in UAE. Mr. Paul concluded by adding that since undocumented migrants were not inclusive in the Ministry of Labour packages, his office is helping Filipino undocumented migrants by providing basic services.
The webinar had been highly enriching, with each panelist contributing to their common argument on why it is imperative for international organizations as well as governments to ensure that migrants across the world, regardless of their status, have equal access to basic services, so that their rights, not only as migrants, but as humans, are fulfilled.
Seyi Olawuyi, an independent migration and environmental consultant, CEO at World Ecological Concepts Ltd. Nigeria. Twitter @Omoobalans