Asian urged to boost labor standards<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok<\/p>\n
The United Nations has called on governments across Asia to
\nimprove their migrant labor policies, particularly as regards the
\nliving standards of foreign migrants, in a bid to mitigate the
\nsocial upheavals that could be caused by their improper
\ntreatment.<\/p>\n
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
\n(UNESCAP) told government officials, academics and lawmakers
\nattending a seminar here on Wednesday that the poor treatment of
\nmigrant labor could affect bilateral or multilateral relations.<\/p>\n
"The topic of the seminar is becoming increasingly important
\nfor national development strategies and for bilateral and
\nregional discussions," UNESCAP executive secretary Kim Hak-su
\nsaid in a written statement read by his deputy, Shigeru Mochida.<\/p>\n
The latest major case involved 300 Thai migrant workers
\nworking on a mass rapid transit project in Kaoshing, Chinese
\nTaipei, going on a rampage, infuriated by substandard living
\nconditions. Meanwhile, Indonesian migrant workers in some
\ncountries have gained a reputation for involvement in crime and
\ndishonoring their contracts.<\/p>\n
Kim cited improved transport and communications
\ninfrastructure, government policies facilitating labor migration,
\nand the development of government and private sector structures
\nas factors promoting greater migration.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, higher incomes in other countries was the main
\nattraction for people wanting to work overseas.<\/p>\n
"The magnitude of international migration in the region is
\nincreasing steadily as a result of continued disparities in
\ndemographic dynamics and level of development among economies,"
\nKim said.<\/p>\n
"Their (migrant workers) remittances to some countries exceed
\nofficial development assistance or foreign direct investment in
\nthose countries," he added.<\/p>\n
The economic benefits, however, overshadowed the plight of
\nfemale migrant workers -- who constituted a high proportion of
\nmigrants -- within the region. Female workers were more
\nvulnerable to exploitation and abuse because of the nature of
\ntheir jobs, concentrated mostly in the domestic help sector.<\/p>\n
The seminar, which concludes on Friday, is set to discuss
\ntopics such as recent trends in international migration in Asia
\nPacific, labor migration policies and programs, health issues
\nassociated with migration, and the social and economic
\nimplications of international migration.<\/p>\n
The participants will also discuss gender aspects of
\nmigration, the treatment of migrants' children, and trafficking
\nand smuggling of migrants.<\/p>\n
An Indonesian lawmaker, Chairun Nisa, told The Jakarta Post
\nhere that the seminar was expected to draft recommendations for
\naction that need to be taken.<\/p>\n
"This seminar is an important opportunity for manpower
\nofficials to discuss the problems of Indonesian migrant workers
\nand forge cooperation with officials from other countries," she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Regretting the absence of officials from the manpower
\nministry, Nisa said that Indonesian manpower officials must do
\nmore to protect workers, and it should start by overhauling the
\nrecruitment process.<\/p>",
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