ILO-HSF PROJECT ‘ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF RETURNED VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING’ PROJECT OVERVIEW Robert L. Larga National Project Coordinator

It is said that ……………. There are more than 9 million Filipinos abroad, either as immigrants or temporary migrants, in at least 87 countries There are more than 9 million Filipinos abroad, either as immigrants or temporary migrants, in at least 87 countries 10% of the Phil. Population live and work overseas, sending back US$8B p.a. 10% of the Phil. Population live and work overseas, sending back US$8B p.a. Significant destinations are Saudi Arabia, HK/China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and the US Significant destinations are Saudi Arabia, HK/China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and the US

It is said that ……………. The Philippines is a source, transit and destination country The Philippines is a source, transit and destination country The 2006 UNODC Trafficking in Persons Report cites the Philippines as “HIGH” among origin countries; “MEDIUM” among destination countries; and “VERY LOW” among transit countries The 2006 UNODC Trafficking in Persons Report cites the Philippines as “HIGH” among origin countries; “MEDIUM” among destination countries; and “VERY LOW” among transit countries Philippines ranked “HIGH” among countries of origin in Asia Philippines ranked “HIGH” among countries of origin in Asia RP referred as among countries of origin of trafficked persons to North America and Oceania RP referred as among countries of origin of trafficked persons to North America and Oceania

It is said that ……………. UNODC Report also cites Bangkok as transit for Filipino nationals being trafficked to Italy UNODC Report also cites Bangkok as transit for Filipino nationals being trafficked to Italy Major destinations for trafficking for forced prostitution from Indonesia and the Philippines include Australia, HK-SAR, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (ILO, “A global alliance against child labor: A Global Report”, 2005) Major destinations for trafficking for forced prostitution from Indonesia and the Philippines include Australia, HK-SAR, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (ILO, “A global alliance against child labor: A Global Report”, 2005) Internal trafficking from rural to urban metropolitan areas also exists either for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor Internal trafficking from rural to urban metropolitan areas also exists either for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor

It is said that ……………. In Southeast Asia, Thailand and the Philippines are among the countries facing serious problems of trafficking in persons In Southeast Asia, Thailand and the Philippines are among the countries facing serious problems of trafficking in persons Policies and measures have been adopted to address the situation Policies and measures have been adopted to address the situation Return and reintegration has remained the least concern of policy and program interventions, or if so, inadequately or inappropriately addressed Return and reintegration has remained the least concern of policy and program interventions, or if so, inadequately or inappropriately addressed

KEY CHALLENGES FACING RETURNEES UPON RETURN Stigmatization; family relationships Stigmatization; family relationships Financial problems Financial problems Psychosocial; medical; and health issues Psychosocial; medical; and health issues Large number of women marrying Japanese men return as single mothers Large number of women marrying Japanese men return as single mothers

KEY CHALLENGES FACING RETURNEES UPON RETURN For the unskilled, self-employment often seen as the only option for returnees (or re-migrating) For the unskilled, self-employment often seen as the only option for returnees (or re-migrating) Success of self-employment limited - capital not skills the main gains from migration Success of self-employment limited - capital not skills the main gains from migration Those who work in domestic or entertainment sectors abroad won’t do the same at home Those who work in domestic or entertainment sectors abroad won’t do the same at home Age, relationships and economics are the main factors affecting reintegration Age, relationships and economics are the main factors affecting reintegration

KEY REINTEGRATION ISSUES Lack of information: in detail and recent information Lack of information: in detail and recent information Few official returns: small numbers; general approach; lack follow-up Few official returns: small numbers; general approach; lack follow-up Many unofficial returns: difficulty in identifying and accessing returnees Many unofficial returns: difficulty in identifying and accessing returnees Referral system: need to ensure effective coordination and provision of services Referral system: need to ensure effective coordination and provision of services

KEY REINTEGRATION ISSUES Community-based approach: need to adopt more community-based reintegration Community-based approach: need to adopt more community-based reintegration Psycho-social assistance: lack resources and capacity Psycho-social assistance: lack resources and capacity Complaint mechanism and legal follow-up: systems to be set in place Complaint mechanism and legal follow-up: systems to be set in place Lack of employment opportunities: need economic activities with market (a work that works) Lack of employment opportunities: need economic activities with market (a work that works)

PROJECT FOCUS Objective Objective TO SUPPORT THE HUMANE REINTEGRATION OF RETURNED MIGRANTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED EXPLOITATION OR ABUSE ABROAD – AND WHO NEED ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE HUMANE REINTEGRATION OF RETURNED MIGRANTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED EXPLOITATION OR ABUSE ABROAD – AND WHO NEED ASSISTANCE By the end of the project: By the end of the project: Returned migrants who have faced exploitation abroad, will have been assisted, empowered and protected from further exploitation including re-trafficking Returned migrants who have faced exploitation abroad, will have been assisted, empowered and protected from further exploitation including re-trafficking The capacities of the reintegration service providers will have been improved The capacities of the reintegration service providers will have been improved

PROJECT SCOPE Timeframe and coverage Timeframe and coverage (3 years, ) (3 years, ) Philippines and Thailand Philippines and Thailand Target group Target group returned migrant per year per country ( for the project period; will also depend on actual numbers of returnees) returned migrant per year per country ( for the project period; will also depend on actual numbers of returnees) Both official and unofficial returnees (returning on their own) Both official and unofficial returnees (returning on their own) Priority to: Priority to:  migrants within Southeast/East Asia (Japan; Malaysia; Singapore; Hong Kong; Taiwan; China; South Korea)  teenagers and young women  recently returned migrants (within the last two years)  other groups: men; those returned more than 2 years ago

Target Group and Trafficking Definition Trafficking is… By means of… For the purpose of exploitation including… (Action)(Means)(Purpose) RecruitmentThreat Forced labour or services Transportation Use of force The prostitution of others TransferCoercion Slavery or practices similar to slavery HarboringAbductionServitude ReceiptFraud Prostitution of others Deception Other forms of sexual exploitation Abuse of power Removal of organs Abuse of position of vulnerability Giving or receiving payment or benefits

IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUP Keeping in mind that: Trafficking in persons is occurring within the larger context of migratory flows. Many migrants have faced exploitation abroad – although not legally identified as trafficking cases. Trafficking in persons is occurring within the larger context of migratory flows. Many migrants have faced exploitation abroad – although not legally identified as trafficking cases. Need to be needs oriented and include assistance to unofficial returnees (exploitation and need of assistance are key) Need to be needs oriented and include assistance to unofficial returnees (exploitation and need of assistance are key) There are not enough official identified victims of trafficking to meet the target numbers for the project (against unofficial returnees) There are not enough official identified victims of trafficking to meet the target numbers for the project (against unofficial returnees) Many women do not see themselves as victims of trafficking – even if they have been exploited etc. For them the “trafficking box” might feel artificial Many women do not see themselves as victims of trafficking – even if they have been exploited etc. For them the “trafficking box” might feel artificial

PROJECT FUNDING Budget Budget Total of close to US$ 2 Million (2 countries over 3 years) Total of close to US$ 2 Million (2 countries over 3 years) Sub-contracts amount to approx $380,000 per country Sub-contracts amount to approx $380,000 per country Approximate budget breakdown: 15% on knowledge; 25% capacity building; 65% direct assistance Approximate budget breakdown: 15% on knowledge; 25% capacity building; 65% direct assistance Donor Donor Funded by the Government of Japan and the UN through the Human Security Fund Funded by the Government of Japan and the UN through the Human Security Fund

Project structure & staff CTA ILO- TICW Project National Project Coordinator Chiang Rai International Programme Officer Bangkok Regional Admin Assistant Bangkok National Project Coordinator Manila National Project Secretary Manila ILO-IPEC, HQ Donor, HSF, Japan ILO-ROAP Specialists

APPROACHES Develop a flexible approach that provides real solutions to the individual (versus ‘one size fits all solution’) Develop a flexible approach that provides real solutions to the individual (versus ‘one size fits all solution’) Work with and for returnees in order to empower them to improve their situation Work with and for returnees in order to empower them to improve their situation Listen and learn carefully from returnees about their concerns, needs and ideas Listen and learn carefully from returnees about their concerns, needs and ideas Respect differences between individuals and different choices Respect differences between individuals and different choices Respect and protect privacy and confidentiality Respect and protect privacy and confidentiality Promote self-reliance and resiliency Promote self-reliance and resiliency Foster a rights-based, bottom-up approach Foster a rights-based, bottom-up approach

STRATEGIES Improving the knowledge base Improving the knowledge base Track and tracer study on returnees Track and tracer study on returnees Mapping of available services and support mechanism Mapping of available services and support mechanism Capacity building/systems development Capacity building/systems development Improving the capacities of service providers to reintegrate returned migrants Improving the capacities of service providers to reintegrate returned migrants Developing a central and systematic referral mechanism Developing a central and systematic referral mechanism Developing returnees profile and success indicators Developing returnees profile and success indicators Strengthening the capacity of social workers to develop individual reintegration plans Strengthening the capacity of social workers to develop individual reintegration plans Strengthening linkages between key agencies and organizations in sending and receiving countries Strengthening linkages between key agencies and organizations in sending and receiving countries

STRATEGIES Direct support Direct support Referral to social services Referral to social services Development of individual reintegration plans Development of individual reintegration plans Health care & psychological counseling if needed Health care & psychological counseling if needed Legal assistance Legal assistance Economic reintegration (career counseling, income generation activities, vocational training and job placement services) Economic reintegration (career counseling, income generation activities, vocational training and job placement services) Social reintegration (peer to peer support networks) Social reintegration (peer to peer support networks) Family support (family counseling and community-based awareness) Family support (family counseling and community-based awareness) Provision of longer term reintegration programs Provision of longer term reintegration programs Campaign: Safe migration – Safe Return Campaign: Safe migration – Safe Return

Partners  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)  BATIS + BATIS AWARE  DAWN  Kanlungan Center Foundation  Workers & Employers Organizations

Links & collaboration ILO-HSF2 Reintegration Project ILO projects & specialist TICW project Asia migration project (EU) Asia migration project (Japan) Skills and gender unit HQ, ROAP International agencies IOM UNODC UNAIP Others NGO’s & INGO’s Thailand: FFW, SEPOM, YMCA, CPCR Philippines: BATIS, AWARE, DAWN Save the Children Others. Employers & Workers Organisations Government Key ministries HSDS, MOL etc. Focal departments: BATWC, DSWD, OWWA Other departments: VT, Edu, Health Provincial authorities: (Phayao, Chiang Rai)

The project contributes to the implementation of the IACAT’s National Strategic Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons ( ).

IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs Organize trafficked persons through the creation of survivor groups Organize trafficked persons through the creation of survivor groups Make available skills training and livelihood services Make available skills training and livelihood services Conduct capability building activities for service providers Conduct capability building activities for service providers Strengthen mechanisms for provision of interventions Strengthen mechanisms for provision of interventions Peer-to-peer support networks Peer-to-peer support networks Economic reintegration activities Economic reintegration activities Trainings for service providers Trainings for service providers Referral system Referral system

IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs Establish a data bank to identity efficient and effective measures and services for victims and their families Establish a data bank to identity efficient and effective measures and services for victims and their families Establish collaborative mechanism as the local level Establish collaborative mechanism as the local level Conduct research and documentation of best practices on reintegration Conduct research and documentation of best practices on reintegration Reintegration data base Reintegration data base Family and community support mechanisms Family and community support mechanisms Track and tracer study; mapping of available services; documentation of good practices Track and tracer study; mapping of available services; documentation of good practices

Thank you for your attention!