Baldoz cites importance of DOLE-IOM regional project on labor migration; thanks EU for funding support



Date Posted: March 15th, 2013 07:02 AM

Baldoz cites importance of DOLE-IOM regional project on labor migration; thanks EU for funding support
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that joint regional project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), “Strengthening Labour Migration Capacities in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines for replication in other Colombo Process Member States”, is a valuable and important step in labor migration management.
I her speech at the launching of the project at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila, Baldoz thanked the European Union (EU) for extending financial support to the project and said:
“The intention of this project to support regional consultative processes, or RCPs, and intra-regional dialogue between Asia and Europe on labor migration is very relevant in enhancing and strengthening regional platforms for migrant advocacies as well as inter-country or bilateral cooperation."
The project is part of the EU's Thematic Program on Migration and Asylum.
Baldoz said the Colombo Process, for instance, has been useful to highlight shared interest for the protection of domestic workers and migrant rights in general.
"More informal, non-binding framework of discussion allows participating countries to share good practices and launch action programs adaptable to national settings,” she said.
She also  acknowledged the need to replicate successful institution building, supported by technical assistance, so that pilot projects will become more refined, sustained, and mainstreamed. 
“The technical assistance we receive from our development partners like the EU and IOM in institutional capacity building, pilot project launching, replication, training of duty bearers and stakeholders, tools development, and sometimes, even direct services, significantly supplement the energies and resources we devote to our regular services,"  said Baldoz.
"The added-value of this project is to support employment generation and to promote productive socio-economic initiatives among migrant workers which will enable them to contribute to the economic development of their respective countries," she explained.
The DOLE-IOM regional project, which is aimed at enhancing the labor migration capacities  of the Philippines,  Bangladesh, Indonesia, and  Nepal, will be implemented from January 2013 to October 2014 with a budget of $1.5 million.
Other agencies involved in the project are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA),  National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), and the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), all DOLE agencies.
The launch was  highlighted by the signing of the Project Implementation Agreement (PIA) by the Steering Committee  which was witnessed by Marco Boasso, Chief of Mission, IOM Philippiones; Ambassador Guy Ledoux, Head  of Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines; and Luiza  Carvalho, Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team in the Philippines.
Baldoz said the Philippines  key donor-endorsed contribution to the project were its participation in the Colombo Process Senior Oficcials Meeting; preparation for and the holding  of the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Asian Alliance of Association of Overseas Employment Service Providers in Manila; national workshops for recruitment agencies on ethical recruitment; participation in the 3rd Asia Europe  Dialogue on Labour Migration in Brussels; revision/redevelopment of Pre-Departure Training Modules, Training of Trainers, and pilot-run of trainings; safe-migration information campaign and development of relevant materials; training media on safe migration; and Labour Attache consultation in destination country on recruitment monitoring systems.
Meanwhile, DOLE-NRCO Executive Director Rustico de la Fuente said the technical assistance project will contribute in rolling out the programs of the Department in the grassroots level.
"The project aims to support the establishment of a Migrant Resource Center (MRC) to replicate similar successful experiences in Batangas, Masbate, Antique, Maguindanao and Agusan del Sur under previous IOM projects funded by the EU and the Government of Spain," he said.
The MRCs were established as information and service hubs for prospective migrants exploring overseas employment, and returning migrants who might require further assistance with some complaints or support in setting up small businesses
“The project seeks to sustain what IOM started when it linked MRCs to entrepreneurship trainings and enterprise development which resulted in the formulation of four pilot model mechanisms to channel remittances for local enterprises such as muscovado, rubber, water hyacinth, goat raising among former OFWs and families left behind, said Dela Fuente.
He added that this  entailed capacity building and linkaging activities for returning OFWs and families. Some 146 OFWs and OFW family members were trained on group enterprise development initiatives and 75 local partners were capacitated to help improve the business development services in Antique, Masbate, and Agusan Del Sur.
Newly-assumed Chief of Mission of IOM Philippines and Director of IOM Manila (Global) Administrative Centre, Marco Boasso, recognized the Philippines as an excellent model in labor migration management. He assures that the IOM, with the continuing support of its development partners such as the European Union, will support the thrust of the Government to promote and encourage the reintegration of OFWs as agents of migration-induced development. 
End/ctmaring

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