| Programmes |
The Migrant Workers Rights Programme seeks to remedy the extreme situations of a lack of legal protection, rights to redress and access to justice for migrant workers. The abuse, exploitation and discrimination faced by migrant workers are rooted in the absence of a comprehensive legal protection for migrant workers who are often treated as temporary cheap commodity to meet development needs. The situation is made worse when the costs of migration had also pushed many poor migrant workers to become undocumented migrant workers. Some exploitative employers also refused to renew work permits and defaulted in paying wages, hence forcing migrant workers to become undocumented too. However, CARAM Asia viewed the lack of documentation as an administrative issue which should not deny undocumented migrant workers their human rights. Through advocacy with various stakeholders, CARAM Asia lobby for a comprehensive legal protection for all migrant workers regardless of immigration status. Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW) programme area focuses on the recognition of domestic work as a socio-economic activity and to have it included under national employment act or labour laws in both origin and destination countries. Key activities include advocacy, utilising appropriate international instruments, public campaigns and awareness programmes. It will also build regional cooperation with other networks, trade unions and organisations to strengthen the response towards protecting and promoting labour and health rights of foreign domestic workers. CARAM Asia also initiated the formation of the United for Foreign Domestic Workers Rights (UFDWRs), a coalition of regional or international groups wto advocate for foreign domestic workers’ rights. Read about the UFDWRs here ... Read More about the FDW Campaign Key Priorities: Foreign Domestic Workers Access to justice/ legal framework Undocumented migrant workers TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Throughout the migration cycle, governments of origin and sending countries treat migrant workers as a commodity. Their wellbeing or protection of health rights are ignored largely. Migrant workers suffer from various health issues such as discrimination, lack of access to health and HIV preventive information, lack of access to treatment, counselling, referral and access to ARTs for HIV positive migrant workers, mandatory health and HIV testing etc. Thus using various aspects of human rights and health rights frameworks, CARAM Asia developed the Migration, Health and HIV (MHH) programme by combining the previous TFEM and SoH programme to focus on migrant workers health rights including the issue of HIV and AIDS. The objective of MHH is to promote equity health care for migrant workers so that their access to health services and HIV prevention, care and support is facilitated. This programme will also pay special attention on the health and well-being of undocumented migrant workers, with special focus on those going through detention and deportation. Sexual and reproductive health and rights, empowerment of migrants living with HIV and their spouses to be meaningfully involved in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and policies addressing HIV & AIDS and migration issues are an integral part of MHH Task Force. Key Priorities: 1) Mandatory Testing - on all health conditions including HIV – leading to universal access 2) HIV- prevention addressing HIV vulnerability and risks /Migrants living with HIV (TCS including ART, reintegration / GIPA 3) Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) 4) Mental Health 5) Health in Detention 6) Occupational Health and Safety Read about CARAM Asia's GIPA Statement . Visit the blog for this programme here . Read more on CARAM Asia's call for the Removal of Mandatory HIV Testing for Migrant Workers . TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Migration is globular in nature and is heavily affected by neo liberal policies and structures which impacts migrant workers health outcomes and well-being. This programme aims at linking and filling the gaps in the current migration and development discourses by adequately addressing the impact of migrant workers health in the context of globalisation. Activities will include strengthening the analysis, perspectives, and awareness on globalisation/ World Trade Organisation (WTO) / International Financial Institutions (IFIs) policies on migration and health; the impact and implication of migrant workers health through the privatisation of healthcare and developing global action on debt and poverty to reduce all vulnerabilities in migration. TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Read the CARAM ASIA Migration, Health and Globalisation Position Paper, 2007 , please click here |
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