Migration Initiatives IOM Pakistan

Labour Migration in South Asia 70,478 527,887 6,073,731 In 2010*, the emigrant stock in South Asia was 1.6% of the population, while the immigrant stock was 0.7%. South Asia is one of the main source sub-regions for migrants in Asia. There is significant movement of migrants from South Asia to South-east and East Asian countries. Movements within South Asia dominate flows to other sub-regional markets. Sources: *Migration and Remittances Factbook. World Bank, 2011 Map compiled by IOM using data from “Migration between South and Southeast Asia-Overview of Trends and Issues”. Chanda,2012.

Labour Migration in South Asia Factors driving migration include: Wage differential between sending and receiving countries; Labour shortages in receiving countries; Desire to achieve higher living standards; Changes in political climate; Presence of migration networks in receiving countries; Others such as changes to visa policies, job transfers, etc. The sectors South Asian migrants work in include construction, fishing, domestic services, agriculture, etc.– generally lower-skilled jobs.

Remittance in South Asia Remittances & Development Trend in Remittances in South Asia (2000-2010) South Asia (SA) is one of the largest remittance recipients in the world. Many economies in South Asia rely on remittances as an important source of foreign exchange and to keep current account deficits at manageable levels. As presented in ADB Working Paper No.12, May 2012 At the household level, remittances serve as informal social security to cover food, education, and health-care costs. Most remittances some from GCC countries. Other common countries are the UK, USA, Ireland, etc.

Remittance Corridors in the Asia-Pacific Region The world’s top net remittance recipients are from Asia—India and PRC—while Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines also ranked among the top 15!

South Asia’s Vision for Labour Migration Regional Priorities and Outlook Encouraging more skilled migrant workers to move abroad, considering that they earn higher wages and are better able to protect themselves Increasing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with destination countries to improve working conditions and treatment of migrant workers Enhancing the development impact of remittances and return of migrants with skills acquired abroad Reducing the costs of migration, recruitment fraud and extending labour protection to all workers, including domestic workers. Source: Situation Report on International Migration in South and South West Asia. ESCAP, 2012

Regional Consultative Processes The Colombo Process The Abu Dhabi Dialogue The Asia-EU Dialogue

Regional Consultative Processes The Colombo Process Established in 2003, the The process aims to provide a forum for dialogue among member states. There are 11 member states and 8 observer states. Led and governed by the annual Ministerial Consultation in which recommendations and action plans are discussed and adopted by the Ministers of the participating countries.

Regional Consultative Processes Achievements Sharing of best practices through studies, regional events Capacity building of labour attaches of the governments Setting up, training on Market Research Unit and Migrant Resource Centre Information campaigns Joint training, cross-sharing and learning Implementation, at the national level, of recommendation adopted at the Ministerial Consultations Priorities Protection and provision of services to overseas temporary contractual workers Optimizing benefits of organised labour migration Capacity building, data collection and inter-state cooperation

Regional Consultative Processes Broad Purpose: To provide a forum for discussion of new ideas and concrete activities towards enhancement of bilateral and regional cooperation and partnerships To improve the administration of temporary contract employment cycle and maximize its benefits to contract workers, employers and economies of countries of origin and destination The Abu Dhabi Dialogue Established in 2008 Voluntary, non-binding, state-led Regional Consultative Process between Colombo Process (CP) Member States and migrant labour destination countries in the Gulf, after years of observer participation of some Gulf countries in the CP (notably UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain)

Regional Consultative Processes The Asia-EU Dialogue An inter-regional forum aimed at developing and enhancing inter- and intra-regional exchange of ideas and strategies on facilitating managed and legal migration between Asia and the European Union (EU) Members consist of all 11 CP countries and all EU28 countries Objectives include: To improve understanding of the key trends and issues, support the identification of common policy concerns To promote actions which will facilitate safe and legal labour migration between the two regions and its impact on development

IOM Pakistan Initiatives Canadian Orientation Abroad and Australian Cultural Orientation Programs to familiarize migrants with the conditions in these destination countries. Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) Option for Irregular Pakistani Migrants in various countries of destination. Support includes travel arrangements (including facilitation with relevant Pakistani embassies), reception support at airports, medical assistance, education support, vocational trainings, business set up support

Upcoming Initiatives Include Tailored reintegration assistance for returnees Reinforce social capital through local support groups in communities Increased access to psycho-social services for returning migrants. Sustained awareness raising on safe migration practices

Senior Program Coordinator, Migration Management Junaid Khan Senior Program Coordinator, Migration Management International Organization for Migration (IOM)