2008年-世界发展银行全球_Managing_Migration___Lessons_from_the_Philippines_5页_399kb

Managing Migration: Lessons from the Philippines

Core Content

The document outlines the institutional framework and strategies employed by the Philippine government to manage international migration, focusing on the regulation of recruitment, managed deployment processes, protection and representation of migrant workers, and recording mechanisms to understand migrant needs. It also highlights the financial and political strategies used to sustain these initiatives.

Main Points

1. Overview of Migration in the Philippines

• Over 8.2 million Filipinos work or live abroad, representing 25% of the total labor force.
• Approximately 75,000 Filipinos are deployed monthly for overseas employment.
• Filipinos make up 30% of the world's sea-based workers.
• Remittances in 2007 reached US$17 billion, equivalent to 13% of the country's GDP.

2. Institutional Framework for Migration Management

The Philippine government has established several key institutions to manage migration, including:

• Overseas Employment Development Board (OEDB): Established in 1974, it was responsible for promoting overseas employment and regulating recruitment.
• Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA): Formed in 1982 by consolidating OEDB, the National Seamen Board, and the Bureau of Employment Services. It manages recruitment, deployment, and monitoring of overseas workers.
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA): A welfare fund that provides protection and support to migrant workers, including financial assistance, legal aid, and emergency repatriation.
• Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO): Oversees the welfare and interests of overseas Filipinos.
• Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat: Allows overseas Filipinos to vote in national elections.

3. Regulation of Recruitment

• The POEA licenses private recruitment agencies and ensures compliance with regulations.
• It maintains an updated list of job openings, recruitment agencies, and available vacancies.
• POEA provides quality ratings for recruitment agencies to help workers make informed choices.
• It monitors the treatment of OFWs through Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and labor attachés in embassies and consulates.

4. Managed Deployment Process

• All overseas contract workers must undergo a mandatory deployment process, which includes:
  • Pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS): Organized by NGOs and the OWWA, these seminars provide information on destination country customs, laws, and resources.
  • OFW identification cards: Issued by the POEA, these cards serve as government-issued IDs and can be used as ATM cards.
• The process aims to equip migrants with the knowledge and tools necessary for their overseas journey.

5. Protection and Representation

• OWWA provides a mandatory welfare fund, with a US$25 membership fee paid before deployment.
• The government has raised over US$200 million for migrant support programs.
• The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, known as "the magna carta," was a response to the death penalty case of Flor Contemplacion in Singapore.
• This law led to the establishment of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs within the Department of Foreign Affairs, responsible for legal assistance and coordination.
• In 2003, provisions for dual citizenship and absentee voting were introduced to enhance migrant representation.

6. Recording Mechanisms

• The Survey of Overseas Filipinos (since 1993) provides socio-economic data and remittance statistics.
• The POEA and CFO maintain records of overseas contract workers and permanent emigrants.
• An inter-agency committee was formed to improve information sharing, but it faces challenges due to limited funding.
• The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) collaborates with the Association of Bank Remittance Officers Incorporated (ABROI) to ensure transparency in remittances.

Key Information

• The Philippines has developed a comprehensive system to manage migration, including regulation, deployment, protection, and data collection.
• Financial and political capital are crucial for sustaining these efforts, and the government raises funds through fees and partnerships.
• The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 was a landmark legislation that significantly improved migrant protection and representation.
• The pre-departure orientation seminars and financial literacy programs are essential in preparing migrants for life abroad.
• Remittance transparency is promoted through central bank regulations, ensuring that both senders and recipients are aware of costs and options.

Lessons for Country of Origin Governments

1. Regulate Recruitment Agencies: Establish oversight to prevent exploitation and ensure fair contracts.
2. Implement Pre-departure Seminars: Provide migrants with essential information about their destination and legal rights.
3. Create a Migrant Welfare Fund: Offer financial and legal support to migrants and their families.
4. Develop Recording Mechanisms: Collect accurate data on emigrants to better serve their needs.
5. Promote Remittance Competition: Encourage transparency and lower costs through central bank policies.

These strategies demonstrate how a coordinated institutional approach can effectively manage migration and enhance the well-being of migrant workers and their families.