RP's hosting of global forum on migration expected to benefit OFWs

The Department of Foreign Affairs hopes that the government's hosting of the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development in October would help improve the condition of Filipino workers abroad.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr said on Monday that he expects to reach a consensus with countries hosting Filipino workers for better treatment of OFWs.

According to Conejos, they will see to it that the forum will not be another “talk shop" of foreign leaders by taking out the ‘politics’ in the meeting and instead invite “high-level policy practitioners" and migration experts in the discussions.

“We are looking for practical solutions for practical problems," said Conejos in a press conference after the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Ayala Foundation in Makati City.

The DFA designated Ayala Foundation to head the civil society component of the GFMD where some 200 delegates from various sectors are expected to attend.

Conejos, who serves as the GFMD Philippine chair, said that among the concerns they will tackle in the four-day meeting is the protection and safety of overseas Filipino workers in their destination countries.

He noted that the Philippines needs to impress upon other countries that the government is bent on safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos overseas so that their respective governments will also follow suit.

“The protection starts even before the migrants leave," Conejos said adding that they expecting over 192 United Nation’s member states to attend the event.

Vicky Garchitorena, president of Ayala Foundation, Inc, said the forum aims to further understand the various social effects of migration not only in the Philippines but also in the destination countries of OFWs.

Garchitorena cited previous studies like the social effects of migration on the families left-behind, that will be discussed in the forum.

On the other hand, Conejos said that the GFMD will also serve as the country’s opportunity to promote Filipino employment overseas.

Conejos asserted that since migration has become a global phenomenon, even the Philippine government cannot stop Filipinos who want to look for better jobs abroad.

“It’s human nature, they [OFWs] want to improve their lives," Conejos said.

The Philippines was unanimously chosen by participating countries to host the 2nd GFMD from Oct. 27-30 after Brussels hosted the first forum last year.

It is also the first and only Asian country so far invited to host the event, next to Greece, Argentina, and Spain, according to Conejos.

He also said that the final report on the forum will be submitted to the UN Secretary General and reported to the UN General Assembly. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV

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