The migrant alliance also reiterated its analysis of the GFMD as a migra on forum that panders to imperialism s neoliberal designs.

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1 News DigestD APMM Monthly Newsletter of the (APMM) November 2011 Clearly for the grassroots migrants, the GFMD framework and process is not responsive to their concrete needs and condi on. Thus declared the Interna onal Migrants Alliance (IMA) in its cri que of the 5th Global Forum on Migra on and Development (GFMD) on December 1-2 in Geneva, Switzerland. The global alliance of migrants cited the ini al findings in the ongoing GFMD Impact Study being conducted by the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant (APMM) and the IBON Founda on. In a paper issued to network members and distributed widely in Geneva, the IMA noted that only about one-third of the respondents from the Middle East and Oceania regions have heard about the GFMD. The two regions were the focus of APMM s Preliminary Report on the impact study, which was also presented by members of IMA-Europe in a parallel forum by civil-society organiza ons (CSOs) in the Swiss city. Referring on the study, IMA noted in its IMA cites APMM study in 5th GFMD critique cri que: While the number of migrants who are aware of the GFMD is low, 84% of those surveyed have heard of the connec on between migra on and development. Of those who have, 73.8% do not agree that remi ances should be relied upon for development objec ves while 76.4% do not believe that relying on remi ances for development will not result to long-term benefits for their home country. The migrant alliance also reiterated its analysis of the GFMD as a migra on forum that panders to imperialism s neoliberal designs. Since its incep on up to its current fi h run, the GFMD has been faithful to its design of using migra on as a tool to perpetuate the domina on of the world s superpowers chiefly the United states and sustain the unjust world order through the con nued commodifica on of migrant labor and the modern-day slavery of migrant workers. The IMA also lambasted the Forum s theme this year, Taking Ac on on Migra on and Development Coherence, Capacity and Coopera on, as s ll hewing along the same line of integra ng migra on policies to na onal development policies. Through coherence, it is ensured that na onal development programs even adapta on strategies to address climate change! include the maximiza on of labor migra on. Capacity building targets the ability of na onal governments to systema cally manage migra on and its contribu on to empire-designed development while coopera on pertains to working of states together towards the further exploita on of migrant labor. The IMA concluded its cri que by underscoring the need to further expose the GFMD to the broadest number of migrant workers. Especially now that the GFMD is trying to regionalize and na onalize its resolu ons, the adverse impacts of neoliberal globaliza on directed migra on and development will even be more felt by the grassroots migrants. 2MFMW holds Give Care to Caregivers project 4 6 A migrant worker s appeal for help Asian migrants prepare for Intl Mig Day

2 2 News Digest November 2011 Mission for Migrant Workers HK successfully launch GIVE CARE TO CAREGIVERS Inspired by the belief that caregivers in Hong Kong deserve care, the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW Limited) launched Give Care to Caregivers funded by the Li Ka Shing Founda on. With the help of volunteers from local organiza ons, migrant groups and individual supporters, more than 3,000 foreign domes c workers were pampered on November 13 through the many programs offered. For at least a day, the workers were given free massage, haircut, manicure and pedicure, karaoke singing, computer access to communicate with their families through internet, different types of dance lessons. Other equally important services provided were free check-ups with tradi onal Chinese doctors, dental examina on, acupuncture and bone se ng. Seminars on HIV, women`s health and reproduc ve health were also given. Tai chi lessons and a free library was also set-up. Stress hearts to fight stress were also given for free to all migrant workers. The organizers of the event extended their gra tude to all who devoted their me and made the event successful. Some of these groups are Chinese Medicine for All, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, St. John`s Counselling Service and HIV Educa on Centre, Consolidated Filipino Brigade, Filipino Reflexology Therapist Associa on. The Care for our Caregiver Program will be conducted every two months in different areas in Hong Kong un l October The first one was held in Chater Garden, Central.

3 Thank you so much, my sisters from Philippines! When I arrived in Hong Kong Interna onal Airport, I was so surprised when I foundout that HK immigra on separated domes c workers from other travelers (i.e. white-collar foreigners) through different immigra on channels; there is a designated area for arriving domes c workers. Without a doubt, it is an open declara on of the Hong Kong government s unequal treatment of domes c workers. The different treatment of domes c workers as I observed upon my arrival in HKIA reminded me of the social s gma intended to every Mary (females with brown skin, big double-eyelid, especially coming from Philippines) pertaining to foreign domes c workers who remain unno ced or invisible in Taiwan society. Taiwan ignores the contribu on of domes c workers to the economy and puts them into a hard situa on. Mary, the Taiwanese name to any domes c worker even if it is not her realy name, is for me a form of racial discrimina on. During my younger years, as most Taiwanese have done before, many of us knew that these migrants workers in my country are fi ed to do the 4D job in the best way as they can, but most Taiwanese have not cared about their voices or neither want them to be part or accepted in the society. As I started living in Hong Kong, I was able to know the life and experiences of Filipina domes c workers whom I considered as my sisters. I joined with them in a dinner in Charter Garden; it is nearby China Bank, which is one of landmarks buildings in Central, designed by Chinese-American architect I.M Pei. I really had fun with them every Sunday, and definitely enjoyed Philippine dishes because I believe 100% that ea ng and sharing food with them is a way of ge ng News Digest November by Yve e, Hung-Yu Pan APMM Intern from Taiwan Yve e, standing 2nd to the right, joins the leaders and members of Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society, an alliance of Filipino migrant groups in Hong Kong closer with each other while talking and listening to their different stories. I am fond of learning the Tagalog language which on my part is my way of reaching out to them. My sisters shared yummy foods with each other as they laughed loudly, spoke in their own language and shared funny stories. In this way, they were able to at least ease the difficul es of doing hard work in the past six days. However, the big buildings prompted me a strange feeling: this place serves the needs of the white collar workers during weekdays and working hours, and then the migrants stay on the same site for their one day off. For me, Central is a place to demonstrate a person s iden fica on it only depends on when you will come, and how you use it. In the last three weeks of living with my sisters and my internship with APMM, I look forward to a future where people would learn to respect my sisters, that they are workers, not slaves. Women Migrant Workers in ASEAN: CARAM holds forum on women s concerns within ASEAN The par cipated in a forum discussion that CARAM Asia conducted in Malaysia on November 15. A ended by more than 50 par cipants from migrant organiza ons, civil society groups, government agencies and interna onal ins tu ons like the United Na ons, the forum tackled the system of the ASEAN, or Associa on of South East Asian Na ons, and how women migrant workers can advance their demands and issues in it. Dr. Irene Fernandez of Tenaganita provided the par cipants with an introduc on to the ASEAN and the various poli es and mechanisms in the ASEAN that various groups can maximize in terms of lobbying and advocacy. According to her, the ASEAN has possible channels for the women and migrant groups to cri cally engage the governments in terms of protec ng migrant workers, in par cular foreign domes cs and undocumented migrants. She posed though that the ASEAN frame is not an easy terrain and that various groups have faced stumbling blocks within the ASEAN. Jackie Pollock of Map Founda on discussed how women can engage within the ASEAN and the various opportuni es that can s ll be maximized. Following the inputs were sharings from the different country representa ves from South East Asia. The a ernoon workshop sessions focused on the strategies and tac cs that the groups can u lize in advancing the women s causes and representa on in the ASEAN. One of these recommenda ons includes the maximiza on of independent caucuses such as the Migrants Caucus in the ASEAN and the SEA Women s Caucus. As there were a big delega on from South Asia, they had a separate caucus but focusing on how they can advance the rights and demands of South Asian migrant workers who were residing and working in ASEAN countries.

4 4 News Digest November 2011 An OFW appeal for help in Saudi Arabia Qatar is a small peninsula west of the Arab Gulf. It measures merely 4,416 sq. miles and is a neighbour of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran. Like many other countries in the Gulf region, Qatar is home to hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, migrant workers coming mainly from India, Pakistan, Philippines and Nepal. Many of the migrant workers work in factories outside of Qatar that manufacture liquefied natural gas, aluminium and other industrial products. A significant number of migrants also work in the service industry such as restaurants, banks, department stores, schools and other offices. It is es mated that the number of migrant workers is twice more than the local Qatari people. As such, it can be said that migrant labour has built and con nues to be the backbone of the Qatar economy. Like their fellow migrant workers in other countries, migrants in Qatar are subjected to a condi on very much vulnerable to various types of abuses labor, physical and sexual. Their working condi on and the future of their employment is very much defined by the hold of their employer over the security of their job. To not finish a contract or finish it without a No Objec on Cer ficate from the employer seals any hope for a migrant worker to immediately work again in Qatar. Such a condi on forces migrant workers to accept wage levels that are lower than what their skills and job descrip on specifies, accept longer hours of work or give up their days off, Qatar or allow the denial of benefits as part of their labor rights. It is even worse for live-in women foreign domes c workers. Many of them experience abuses and are not allowed to go out of their employer s house. Communica on with fellow migrant workers is also very difficult for them. Thus, many are forced to run away. However, according to migrant organiza ons, the government of sending countries like the Philippines do not have enough mechanisms set up to protect the rights of their na onals and provide the services that they need. More o en, the migrants themselves have to work together to shell out needed funds for the sustenance of migrants who meet problems or for their repatria on back home to the Philippines. As economic problems beset the world, countries like Qatar will not come out unscathed. For sure, policies that govern foreign workers will deteriorate as cheaper labor gets needed by the Qatar economy. Abuses and exploita on will intensify to extract the maximum profit both by the sending and receiving governments from foreign workers. Despite their condi on, the seeds of organizing for empowerment in Qatar are present. The condi on itself of migrants pushes them to study their situa on and look for ways to address their problems thru their united ac ons. With the determina on of foreign workers to improve their lot, the future of a migrants movement to build and develop in Qatar is bright. The indecisiveness of the Philippine government to act on the concrete needs of many Filipino migrants workers on trial led to a death penalty sentence of innocent migrant workers and their prolonged incarcera on. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alone, there are several Filipino migrant workers being sentenced to death penalty and one of them is Rodelio Celes no Lanuza, a Filipino dra sman sentenced in year Lanuza has been detained in Damman Central Jail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since August 15, He was sentenced to death for killing Mr. Mohammad Ibnu Saad Ibnu Abdullah Al-Qahtani who a empted to sexually molest him. For the past 10 years, Lanuza and his family have appealed for help from the Philippine government. During his trial, he was not provided with a defense lawyer and the Philippine government rarely visited him, according to MIGRANTE Interna onal. For the past six years, the Saudi Reconcilia on Commission (SRC) has been nego a ng with the family of Al- Qahtani to pardon Lanuza. In April 2011, they agreed to pardon him in exchange for blood money amoun ng to PhP35 million. Lanuza s family appealed to the Philippine government for support to save the life of Rodelio. However, the Aquino government claimed that there are no funds available for blood money for migrant workers on death row including Rodelio Lanuza. At present, Lanuza s family has launched a campaign to raise the much needed funds. They made use of social networks like facebook and other forms of media to solicit funds including fellow OFWs. Please check his facebook page at h p://www. facebook.com/dondon.c.lanuza?ref=ts.

5 News Digest November APMM joins Global CSOs The Managing Director of APMM a ended the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effec veness held at Busan, South Korea from 29th November to 1st December 2011 on behalf of the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN). APMM is a founding member and a member of the Board of Convenors of APRN. at BCSF and HLF4 in Busan, South Korea The HLF4 was a ended by around two thousand delegates represen ng different mul stakeholders from Governments, Donor Agencies and the Civil Society Organiza ons. It was the first me that three hundred CSO s was allowed to par cipate in the HLF. Prior to the HLF4, a Busan Civil Society Forum (BCSF) was held from 26th to 28th November at Grand Hotel, Busan. The BCSF was a ended by around 500 par cipants represen ng more than one thousand CSO s from different global regions worldwide. APMM also a ended the BCSF and par cipated in the mee ng of the Global Facilita on Group (GFG) and the joint mee ng of the GFG and Be er Aid Coordina ng Group. The HLF4 is part of a long process of mul -sectoral engagements to ensure We are happy to Introduce to you the new intern of APMM: Hung-yu Pan from Taiwan. Yve e, as she would like to be called by her friends, is an ac ve member of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. She worked as ecumenical program assistant of PCT s youth secretary for two years. She is currently a masteral student in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland and is currently wri ng her thesis while working in APMM. Her interest on peace and conflict issues is correlated with the theological aid effec veness, an engagement which resulted to the formula on of the Paris Declara on and the Accra Agenda for Ac on. The Busan HLF4, however, resulted in the formula on of the Busan Outcome Document or BOD. This document is a result of the series of nego a ons of 18 Sherpas who were elected representa ves of different mul stakeholders including one representa ve from the CSOs. According to Be eraid there were key advances made at Busan which includes: Tackling corrup on by making donors explain where aid money goes; Welcoming Yvette, APMM s new intern ques on who is my neighbor and the current rela ons of Taiwan and China. She also served as volunteer in Mae La refugee camp and was exposed to the living condi on of refugees between the border of Myanmar and Thailand. She will stay with APMM for 9 months and she is expec ng to learn about the concrete situa on of migrant workers in Asia Pacific and Middle East region. Reaffirming commitments to promote a rights based enabling environment for civil society; Giving local civil society more leeway to run their own development work; Increasing efforts to achieve gender equality and women s empowerment. However, despite some achievements in the BOD, the CSO s through the Be er Aid pla orm agreed to con nue the work it started in order to ensure be er quality of life and livelihood for the people of the world. For more informa on on the BCSF and the HLF4, please visit the Be er Aid website at eraid.org. Through her internship she is keen on learning with APMM in building and strengthening linkages and networks from the grassroots up to regional and interna onal level to bring different issues of migrant workers in Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. You may read her first ar cle contribu on to this issue of the News Digest on page 3.

6 6 News Digest November 2011 AMCB builds up for International Migrants Day 2011 celebration HK government even spewed some of the most dangerous and false informa on to influence the opinion of the HK public against giving permission to FDWs to apply for permanent residency. Our contribu on to the HK society has been largely ignored, the AMCB stated, despite being part of the working class that built the economy of Hong Kong; ac ve consumers that kept the economic ac vity flowing; ac ve actors in the social and cultural landscape of Hong Kong. The AMCB leaders also expressed condemna on on their own governments that perpetuated the export of their labor, making them virtual modern slaves and allowing unscrupulous recruitment agencies, banks, and loan sharks to squeeze the most profit from the migrants. Fight for our wage, human rights, dignity and equality. This is the call of the Asian Migrants Coordina ng Body (AMCB), Hong Kong's biggest alliance of grassroots migrant domes c workers' organisa ons, unions and federa ons, in an cipa on of Interna onal Migrants Day which mely falls on Sunday, December 18 this year. We are workers; we are not commodi es for sale, declared AMCB leaders coming from organiza ons of Indonesians, Thai, Sri Lankans, Nepalese and Filipinos in a press conference that was held at the Hong Kong Bank grounds in Central, HK on November 27 together with a representa ve of the Civil Human Rights Front. APMM NEWS DIGEST is a publication of the (APMM) - Research, Documentation and Publication Program. Its offi ce is located at: (APMM) No. 2 Jordan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR Tel. No: (852) ; Fax No: (852) apmm@hknet.com Website: Any reproduction or lifting of articles herein is allowed only when due recognition of sources is given. Editorial Team: Ramon Bultron, Noy Natividad, Aaron Ceradoy, Pastor Joram Calimutan Contributors: Vicky Casia-Cabantac, Rey Asis, Janet Saguiped- Carnay, The group cri cized the Hong Kong government s unfair treatment of FDWs by keeping their labor cheap and vulnerable to abuses and exploita on. Social exclusion, according to the migrants, has been in effect for over thirty years now, such as the implementa on of the Two-Week Rule which virtually makes FDWs hostages of cruel employers. The HK government s Minimum Allowable Wage policy has inten onally kept the wages of FDWs low as well as insecure for the yearly review of the MAW has in the past brought dras c cuts while the increases were very miniscule. This was made more pronounced with the FDWs exclusion from the Statutory Minimum Wage, the group a ested.. The low regard of the HK government to FDWs has also been shown in its reac on towards the issue of the right of abode (RoA) for FDWs. Instead of standing on the founda on of human rights, the Even more than this, our respec ve governments ins tu onalize and systema ze the labor export of our workers as a source of income, as a false anchor for economic stability and as a way to dampen the discontent of the poor and displaced people. Fees a er fees are charged on us to generate income for the government while cuts are also made on budgets for services and protec on as fiscal austerity measures, the AMCB stated. Finally, the group called on their fellow migrant workers as well as local groups advoca ng for FDWs workers rights to join the December 18 march-rally coming from three different loca ons - from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Southorn Playground in Wanchai and from Chater Road in Central - with all marches leading to the Central Government Office (CGO) of the HKSAR. The protest march from Causeway Bay led by the Indonesian con ngent of AMCB will stop by the Indonesian Consulate while the one from Chater Road led by the Filipino con ngent will also stop in front of the Philippine Consulate General to denounce the labour export programs of these two major labor expor ng countries. Upon arrival in CGO, AMCB and its local supporters and advocates will hold a program with the "migrants' speak-out" as one of the highlights.