Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Strategic Plan

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3 Contents Context Introduction Core Values Aims How We Work The Drop In Centre Policy Engagement Community Work Organisational Development Strategic Relationships Organigram &

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5 Context MRCI is seeking to contribute to the creation of an intercultural society and in particular towards creating the conditions for inclusion of those migrant workers and their families who are in situations of vulnerability. Over the last decade, Ireland has moved from being a country of emigration to one of inward migration. Migrant workers and their families bring with them a wealth of experience, skills, talents and abilities. This positive contribution is not always recognised or enabled. Structural barriers, negative policies and misinformation contribute to minimising the integration and participation of migrant workers and their families. In developing this plan and looking forward to its implementation, MRCI will continue to draw on the Irish experience of emigration. It is vital that we learn from the best and the worst of that experience. It is the aspiration of the MRCI to ensure that migration is a positive experience for all concerned. The next few years present particular challenges for the struggle to secure the rights of migrant workers and their families. The external political and policy environment will require special attention, especially to ensure that migration is not used to fuel fear and become a negative political issue during the upcoming elections. Developments in migration policy at EU and national level will also be high on the agenda, as will discussions on integration and workers rights. Current indications are that we will see significant legislative and policy changes over the next few years. MRCI will seek to be responsive to these changes and rise to the challenges facing us. An additional challenge will be to identify and secure sustainable core funding for the work of MRCI into the future. Our plan is ambitious and can only be met through cooperation and collaboration with others. We look forward to deepening and strengthening relationships with the many stakeholders also concerned with the rights of migrant workers and their families. Context 01

6 Introduction The MRCI is a national organisation concerned with the rights of migrant workers and their families. Established in 2001 to bridge a gap in support structures and information provision for migrant workers and their families, it has since evolved to become a national organisation concerned with: a provision of supports to migrant workers and their families b empowering migrant workers through community work practice c achieving policy change. This Strategic Plan was completed in 2005 and covers the period from July 2005 to July Introduction

7 Core Values We operate from a set of core values and principles which underpins the work of the organisation and implementation of the Strategic Plan. These values include: A focus on social justice and equality A commitment to working towards an anti-racist and intercultural society A concern with the human rights of migrant workers and their families An emphasis on community work as an underpinning approach to our work A commitment to the empowerment and participation of migrant workers A commitment to working in solidarity with others who share a similar ethos A commitment to prioritising the needs and concerns of those experiencing multiple forms of discrimination and injustice, e.g. migrant women. Core Values 03

8 Aims Our vision Is an Ireland where migrant workers and their families participate fully and equally in an intercultural society. Our mission Is to promote the conditions for social and economic inclusion of those migrant workers and their families who are in situations of vulnerability. The strategic aims of MRCI are: Access to Services That migrant workers and their families have equality of access to, and benefit from, essential public services. Addressing Workplace Exploitation That all migrant workers are free from exploitation in their work environment. Participation That the opportunities and conditions are created for active participation by migrant workers and their families in decision making that affects them at all levels, and in key policy developments. 04 Aims

9 How We Work The way in which our work affects migrant workers and their families, and how our actions contribute to the realisation of our vision and mission, is illustrated in the diagram below. MRCI assists migrant workers and their families in accessing their rights and entitlements which in turn helps to develop a firmer base for their participation in society. The evidencebased understanding gained from direct work with individuals is also used in developing and promoting agendas for policy change. In addition, through our community work initiatives we work to translate individual experience into an effective basis for collective action and development. All these actions contribute to creating the conditions and opportunities for the inclusion of migrant workers and their families in decision-making structures, which we believe is essential for an Ireland where migrant workers and their families can participate fully and equally in an intercultural society as set out in MRCI s vision. How We Work 05

10 The activities of MRCI can be divided into three key programmes areas: 1. Drop In Centre Programme 2. Policy Engagement Programme 3. Community Work Programme MRCI s Model For Social Change 06 The Drop In Centre

11 The Drop In Centre The Drop In Centre Programme provides information, advice and assistance to migrant workers and their families who are in situations of vulnerability. It will continue to do this both directly through the Centre and the helpline based in Dublin, as well as indirectly through a system of referral contacts. As well as providing a crucial service in itself, the Drop In Centre will, through effective data capture and analysis, supply a solid base of evidence for developing policy change agendas. Direct Service Provision The Drop In Centre in Dublin will help migrant workers and their families access their rights and become more secure. The service will seek to work especially with migrant workers and their families who are least likely to seek assistance from any other agency, and who are in a situation of fear, isolation or destitution. Direct assistance will be provided in the following priority areas: Migrant workers reporting workplace exploitation/ discrimination; Persons becoming undocumented; Dealing with the work permit system; Persons becoming homeless and/or who are without any social protection; Family reunification for migrant workers who are employed in low-pay jobs. In addition to extensive assistance and support in the situations identified above, we will provide general information on employment rights, rights and responsibilities with respect to immigration status, the work permit system, equality/discrimination and general immigration and residency matters. Specialist Referral System MRCI will work to establish a formal referral system with a range of specialist organisations with expertise in areas of concern to migrant workers. We will seek to build such strategic relationships with organisations that provide information and services. Based on the current policy environment and evidence emerging The Drop In Centre 07

12 from existing drop-in service activities, the following areas have been initially prioritised: Legal immigration and citizenship issues (including Irish children residency issues) Emergency accommodation; Social assistance and access to services; Housing and accommodation advice; Job placement and employment supports. Other important services areas such as health services and language classes will be addressed through setting up appropriate referral relationships in years two and three of the plan. Local Referral Network In order to enable the effective assistance of migrant workers and their families across Ireland, we will develop a network of local contacts to which migrant workers can be referred for assistance. Whilst MRCI will continue to assist individuals from across the country by telephone or in 08 The Drop In Centre

13 person, many cases would be better dealt with at a local level. We will therefore act to: Map and identify organisations across the country who could act as local contacts; Initiate dialogue to understand the scope and level of support available, and provide information resources; Develop appropriate communication and referral systems; Provide networking and training opportunities where appropriate; Ensure quality control through review of process and outcomes. Information Resources In order to support both better service delivery and referral network development in the future, we will organise our existing bank of knowledge and continually update it so that it is current and accurate. One aspect of this will be to substantially upgrade the MRCI website so that it becomes a useful resource for both individual migrant workers and organisations providing support and information to them. Analysis Beyond provision of services to individuals and families, a top priority for us will be the generation of evidencebased information that gives a full and true reflection of the experiences and situations of migrant workers and their families. This information is vital in supporting our other activities. This Programme will therefore seek to collate, analyse and present information that contributes positively to this process. Development Over Time MRCI expects that there will be modest growth over the next three years in the number of individuals it will be able to serve directly, both in terms of initial individual assessments made and in assisted cases. However, we will aim to dramatically expand the number of people referred to specialists for assistance, as the specialist referral network is established and serves an increasing number of the critical needs presented by migrant workers and their families. The Drop In Centre 09

14 Policy Engagement Through the Policy Engagement Programme, MRCI will seek to contribute constructively to the formation of migration policy which recognises the human rights of migrant workers and their families. Developments in the arena of anti -racism and migration at EU and international levels have a direct bearing on the Irish policy context. We will therefore continue to engage at all of these levels. In addition to specific migration policy engagement, we will work to ensure that a focus on the needs of migrant workers is mainstreamed into general social and economic policy developments. Our work in this area will aim to reflect the reality of migrant workers experiences. This evidence-based approach is critical to our ability to generate positive social change. The priority areas for policy engagement are: Habitual Residence Condition. The HRC was introduced on 1st May 2004 in the context of EU enlargement. To qualify for many social protection payments and benefits (e.g. Unemployment Assistance) a person has to pass a habitual residency test. We have been involved in a campaign to abolish or amend the HRC along with several other organisations. 10 Policy Engagement

15 Trafficking for Forced Labour and Debt Bondage. Over the course of this plan we will initiate a campaign to raise awareness and develop a policy agenda on the issue of trafficking for the purposes of forced labour and debt bondage. This work will be developed in conjunction with a range of organisations and institutions at international, European and national level. Improvement of the Conditions of Migrant Women Employed in the Private Home. In 2004, we published Private Homes A Public Concern. This report sets out recommendations which, if implemented, would contribute significantly to improving the conditions and protections for migrant women employed in the private home. Working with a range of stakeholders including trade unions, we will seek to progress the implementation of these recommendations. Integration. The integration of migrant workers is a priority issue for Irish society and one that is growing in significance at a policy and political level. We will develop our campaign based on a position paper we are currently preparing and through engaging migrant workers and their families in the process. Irregular Migration. Working in collaboration with other organisations such as the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), we will develop a campaign in relation to irregular migration and the situation of undocumented workers. Recruitment. The recruitment process is clearly emerging as an issue of central importance in shaping the migration experience, both positively and negatively. We will take this matter further initially within the context of the Trafficking for Forced Labour project and will then develop a targeted campaign towards the latter half of this Strategic Plan period. Workplace Exploitation. This will be a consistent policy priority throughout the lifetime of this plan. The issues facing migrant workers and their families are complex and always changing. During this plan, we will continue to identify strategic issues around which agendas and campaigns should be developed. These issues will be identified through the work of the Drop In Centre Programme, particularly through analysis of the data gathered. Policy Engagement 11

16 Community Work The active participation and inclusion of migrant workers at all levels of society is a strategic aim of MRCI. Community work is a process that enables this critical participation. It also facilitates the movement from a focus on individual needs and concerns to a focus on collective outcomes that have maximum benefit for migrant workers and their families. Community work addresses the root causes of poverty, inequality and exclusion. It seeks to support people and their communities to develop an analysis of their situation and take collective action to address it. Community work seeks to bring about the active participation of people experiencing exclusion in decisionmaking structures. It works from the following set of principles; collective action; participation and inclusion; empowering and enabling; process versus task; non-sexist; non-racist; solidarity not charity; starting where people are at; accountability; self determination; equality; and thinking globally acting locally. MRCI will endeavor to ensure these principles underpin all of the activities within the Community Work Programme. The key ways in which this community work approach will be reflected include: 12 Community Work

17 Collectivisation Through the creation of opportunities to come together, share and develop an analysis of their experience, migrant workers and their families are enabled and supported to actively engage in policy development, build a strong voice and establish a basis for leadership to emerge. We will continue to create opportunities for migrant workers to come together to engage in policy developments and consultation processes where appropriate, e.g. the Mushroom Workers Support Group. The Migrants Forum is a space for migrant workers to come together on average every two months. It is organised to meet the needs of the participants and the themes to be addressed include access to health care, employment rights, dealing with racism, housing and accommodation, immigration policy etc. The Migrants Forum also allows for dialogue and debate on current issues such as political elections and immigration policy. The Domestic Workers Support Group acts as a support for migrant women employed in the private home. In addition, it facilitates participants to take collective action on issues that concern them. The Women s Group is a space for migrant women and others to discuss and take action on the particular issues of concern to migrant women. A key focus for the group is to build links with other women s organisations and groups. Training Training and skill development are important aspects of our community work activities. We will build on our initial leadership and community work training programme to further enhance our ability to deliver quality training, and create further opportunities for migrant workers and their families seeking to participate in issues that concern them. A training initiative will be developed and implemented for migrant women employed in the private home. This initiative will provide a basis for a possible mainstreaming initiative on access to lifelong learning for migrant women in the private home. Underpinning our training programmes is a commitment to facilitating the progression of participants to leadership positions and taking up opportunities to engage in policy debates and developments, representational roles etc. Community Work 13

18 Promoting and mainstreaming good practice It is MRCI s intention to support the emergence of good practice in using a community work approach. Initially, this will involve documenting and publishing the work we have done so far. Going forward, we will be seeking to identify opportunities to work in collaboration with community development organisations and local development agencies to design, test, publish and disseminate models of good practice in local and community development. Through this work, we will seek to strengthen local and county-level infrastructure concerned with supporting the participation and inclusion of migrant workers and their families. Over the lifetime of this strategic plan, we will continue to engage in capacity-building activities with community development and local development agencies, e.g. inputs at training and awareness raising days, offering advice, research and needs-assessment projects. Through the pilot initiative with Dublin Employment Pact and Pobal, we will seek to contribute to the inclusion of migrant workers and their families as a target group in local development planning and in social inclusion programmes. 14 Community Work

19 MRCI will also seek to promote good practice and mainstream a focus on migrant workers, issues in the range of local governance structures, such as City and County Development Boards and Local Government Strategic Policy Committees. Networking Within this Programme, we will focus on developing contacts and relationships within the community sector (i.e. Community Development Support Programme, the Community Platform, Community Workers Cooperative), local development agencies, Family Support Agency and others concerned with migration at national and local levels. Networking opportunities will also be generated for migrant workers themselves to engage in discussions and debate issues that concern them, and to build connections with communities experiencing social exclusion and inequality. Community Work 15

20 Organisational Development In order to successfully achieve our Vision, Mission and Strategic Aims we are committed to enhancing our organisational capacity over the lifetime of this plan. The areas we will give particular attention to include: Administration and Facilities Management; Financial Management; Human Resource Management; Funding and Fundraising; Integrated Performance Monitoring and evaluation; Internal Policy Development; Team Development. 16 Organisational Development

21 Strategic Relationships Networking and alliance building is, and will continue to be, an essential aspect of our approach to achieving progress for migrant workers and their families. Networking allows us to: Collaborate on projects and actions in order to maximise potential to impact positively on outcomes; Gain insight, knowledge and ideas from the experience of others; Pool resources and expertise in order to build good practice, models and actions; Build a shared understanding of the experiences and concerns of migrant workers and their families; Gain access to spaces and arenas to which MRCI and/or migrant workers and their families would not normally have access; Develop alliances in pursuit of equality outcomes for migrant workers and their families. Strategic Relationships 17

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23 Designed By Malachy Geraghty bdes

24 Migrant Rights Centre Ireland 55 Parnell Square West Dublin 1 Tel: Fax: