In the continuation of the International Migration Forum (IMRF) 2022, South Asian Regional Trade Union Council (SARTUC) conducted two days regional consultation with the SARTUC and its affiliates (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan). The General Secretary, Mr Laxman Basnet in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of international gatherings such as the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) to gauze the achievement and progress and to discuss the way forward for the effective implementation of GCM.
As a part of the consultation, the experts on labour migration from different organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), National Network for Safe Migration (NNSM) Nepal, Centre for the Study of Labour and Mobility (CESLAM) gathered physically and virtually and shared the process, achievement, and progress of IMRF 2022 – reflected on the thematic issues, policy debates, gaps, and challenges by contextualizing the situation in respective countries.
Different thematic issues – Fair and ethical recruitment and decent work for the migrant worker; access to justice for migrant workers; skill development and recognition for maximizing the benefits of migration for sustainable development and protecting migrant workers; and facilitating safe dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration of South Asian migrant workers were discussed among the participants of consultation.
Participants discussed in their country-specific groups and selected their priority objective out of 23 objectives of GCM and shared their roles/commitment to the implementation of selected priority objectives.
The common priority objectives selected by the participants are:
- Objective 6: Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work.
- Objective 18: Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competencies.
- Objective 21: Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration.
- Objective 22: Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits.
The roles and strategies of trade union leaders for the implementation of the selected priority objectives of the GCM:
- Joint effort of the government, trade unions, and CSOs for the protection and welfare of migrant workers both in their country of origin and in the destination countries.
- Social dialogue in the consultative process through regional platforms such as SAARC.
- Involve the trade union network at all levels, particularly during the process of reintegration.
- Continuous pressure, lobby, and advocacy from trade unions, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders for the training and skill development and awareness to the migrant workers and returnees.
- Raise the voice to ensure voting rights for migrant workers.
- Continuous cooperation and partnership for the capacity building of trade union members; migrant workers, and labour attache.
- Policy reform and more engagement of social partners.