NAIROBI -- The Philippines shared its best migration practices with countries in the East and Horn of Africa in a workshop organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya Office on 2-5 October in Nairobi.
Director Querobine D. Laccay of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs shared an overview of the Philippines’ relevant labor, social security and human rights legislation, experience and practices for the protection of Overseas Filipinos at the workshop titled “Consular/Labor Attaché/Diaspora Collaboration for the Protection of Rights of Migrant Workers in Countries of Destination”.
She highlighted the importance of different government agencies working closely together during all stages of the labor migration cycle, the significance of bilateral labor agreements as well as regional and multilateral conventions, in protecting migrants.
She also noted the necessity of collaboration with the Filipino diaspora and with other ASEAN Member States, especially in times of crisis.
During the workshop, the IOM cited the Philippines’ important role in crafting the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the “Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster” by the Migrants in Countries Crisis (MICIC) Initiative.
The Philippines is a GCM Champion country and shares its policies and best practices on the protection of labor migrants internationally.
Countries represented in the workshop included Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. In addition to the Philippines, Bangladesh also shared its experiences and best practices. (Philippine Embassy in Nairobi)
