LABOR

Second Asian Labor Migration Ministerial Consultations Inaugural Ceremony, Mindanao Ballroom of the Westin Philippine Plaza, Manila, September 24, 2004, 9:00 AM

THANK YOU FOR A HEARTWARMING INTRODUCTION!

TO THE HARD-WORKING SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) PATRICIA STO. TOMAS, TO THE HONORABLE LABOR MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM OUR NEIGHBORing COUNTRIES IN ASIA, TO THE PARTICIPATIVE OFFICERS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM), OUR DOLE OFFICIALS PRESENT TODAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, A PLEASANT MORNING.

I FEEL DEEPLY HONORED FOR HAVING BEEN INVITED IN THIS VERY SIGNIFICANT EVENT TO DELIVER THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.

I GIVE MY WARMEST RECOGNITION AND CONGRATULATIONs TO THE effort OF DOLE HEADED BY SECRETARY STO. TOMAS IN CARRYING – OUT THIS ENDEAVOR, THE SECOND ASIAN LABOR MIGRATION MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS. I ALSO EXTEND THE SAME COMMENDATION TO THE IOM FOR THEIR ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN REALIZING THIS ACTIVITY AND ADDRESSING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS ON MIGRATION, SPECIFICALLY THAT FACING OUR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS). YOU SHOW YOUR ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE ATTAINMENT OF HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION.

ACCORDINGLY, WE MUST THANK THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID) AND THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) FOR EXTENDING THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS BIG GATHERING OF nations both SENDING AND RECEIVING labor.

I have been INFORMED THAT THIS MINISTERial meeting sets forth dialogues and cooperation amongst the participating countries, with the objective of improving the management of labor migration programs, for the promotion and protection of the welfare of migrant workers onsite overseas.

This is an opportune activity at this time because of the growing demand to bolster the interest of our migrants amidst the prevailing threats on security, violation of human rights, discrimination, intolerance, conflict and instability faced by them. we hope and we pray that this consultation would further strengthen the protection and services to migrant workers, optimization of benefits of ORGANIZED LABOR MIGRATION AND INTER-STATE COOPERATION IN THE PROMOTION OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS’ WELFARE.

Being tasked as the presidential adviser on OFWs and serving as the Vice President of the Philippine government, i realized the great need to talk about human rights, labor migration legislation and agreements, access to health care and migrant smuggling and trafficking. my office commends your efforts addressing these concerns. i am happy indeed that there is a recommendation during the first ministerial consultations held in colombo, sri lanka last year, to set-up migrant advocacy and welfare centers in labor receiving countries. through this, we can assure the sound handling of our migrants’ concerns and problems.

This consultation would provide a forum for the philippine government to outline necessary measures for the protection and advancement of our overseas filipino workers.

In meeting the challenges confronting our country both on the national and international level, the role of the iom is very important. i am aware that the leadership of iom continuously conducts studies and researches on labor migration. consequently, they have outlined programs and projects supportive of the result of their series of studies.

As i studied the projects and programs of iom, i found out that iom focuses on providing assistance and raising awareness, education and information on the risks and impact of migration, self-defense, health, security, smuggling and trafficking. these plans are very relevant to our migrants’ condition.

On the part of the philippine government, the signing of the memorandum of understanding (mou) done last april 21 of this year, between the overseas workers welfare association (owwa) and iom, is an initial step in STRENGTHENING linkages in UNDERTAKING projects and programs for the ofws.

With due recognition of the vital role played by ofws on sustaining our economy and social stability both in the macro and micro level, president gloria macapagal-arroyo has incorporated the promotion of their welfare as one of the three pillars of philippine foreign policy. i believe, our government’s firm stance on the foreign policy was best exemplified when the present administration has successfully negotiated for the release of angelo de la cruz. fortunately, we were able to handle thaT TOUGH CHALLENGE.

THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION AIMS IN ITS 10 POINT AGENDA THE CREATION OF SIX MILLION JOBS IN SIX YEARS, TO GRADUALLY GRAPPLE POVERTY. IN THIS CONCERN, EMIGRATION SOMEHOW EASE ECONOMIC PRESSURES RESULTING FROM THE LACK OF AVAILABLE JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT, THOUGH our government, DOes NOT CEASE FROM FINDING WAYS AND MEANS ON HOW TO generate jobs to ALLEVIATE POVERTY.

IT IS IN THIS LIGHT THAT IN SUPPORT OF the overseas filipino workers, I ADVOCATE UPGRADING OF THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE fields of work SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL DEMAND. I ALSO CONSIDER TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN EMERGING LABOR MARKETS FOR the overseas filipino workers. FURTHERMORE, WE MUST STRENGTHEN BILATERAL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH OVERSEAS LABOR MARKETS AND MAXIMIZE THE ROLE OF DIPLOMATIC OFFICERS Assigned abroad in coordination with the united nations on matters relevant to migration.

It is GOOD news that different countries have joined forces in establishing the global commission on international migration (gcim), supported by the united nations, to elevate international migration on the global agenda.

This consultation is a response to the need for the international community to jointly craft comprehensive and coherent migration policies that will ensure that the rights of migrants are not undermined and their welfare are protected. thus, we continuously support international conventions that benefit and protect migrants.

Thank you and mabuhay!

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