Key points from Gender, Migration and Governance in Asia

12-December-2002

A two-day conference on Gender, Migration and Governance in Asia was held at the Australian National University on 5-6 December.

The conference was organised by the Regulatory Institutions Network within the National Institute of Government and Law at the Australian National University and the Asia Pacific Migration Research Network (APMRN), which is based at the University of Wollongong.

The event brought together 50 academics, non-government organisation (NGO) representatives, and policy makers to discuss issues on feminised migration in Asia, the role of civil society, and policies regarding the regulation/management of migrant labour.

The conference was jointly funded by the ANU, Japan Foundation Asia Centre and the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, the APMRN and the Australia-Korea Foundation. The conference included 17 papers presented by academics and NGOs from 14 countries/economies in the region and two European countries. The key points to emerge from the conference were:

(1) Labour migration in Asia has become increasingly feminised since the 1990s. Changes are evident not only in the increased volume, but also the diversified patterns of migration. Most Asian women still work in narrow ranges of reproductive and productive labour such as live-in maids, entertainers, sex workers, farm labourer and factory employees (while men dominate in the construction and manufacturing sectors). Fewer but increasing numbers of women migrate as brides of male citizens in other Asian countries. Most governments implement immigration policies designed to rotate a pool of temporary workers - paying little attention to their human rights and dismissing gender specific problems affecting large numbers of foreign women. As a result, these women are frequently subject to mistreatment and exploitation by recruiters and employers.

(2) There have been cases of successful campaigns and enforcement of workers' rights, but these have at times had unintended consequences, with Filipinos/as being replaced by less organised and vocal nationality groups, such as Indonesians. This also creates a stratification of workers based on nationality, ethnicity and social/human capital.

(3) Women's live-in domestic work continues to be seen as an extension of household work and therefore not properly valued or included under Employment Acts. This leads to a lack of protection on working and living conditions.

(4) In the case of sex work, the discussion needs to recognise the diverse, complex and contradictory processes at work. Gross economic inequalities result in different degrees of 'choice' and/or 'constraints'. The tendency to use either a 'victimisation' or an 'agency' perspective often masks the complexity of the conditions under which women work. Human rights advocacy and policy making need to pay attention to the specific contexts in which sex work occurs.

(5) In the absence of governmental protection and regulation, NGOs and civil society have attempted to address the gaps and problematic issues of migration, including on-site organising of migrant workers as well as initiatives and services to assist with the re-integration of migrant workers. Given vast differences in the historical and political context of countries within the region, it is not surprising that NGOs have played different roles and applied a variety of approaches.

Successful models of NGOs need to be identified in order to determine the key factors that make migration a positive experience.

(1) Transnational advocacy networks (TANs) within the region should be strengthened but these should become trans-ethnic advocacy networks (TEANs) - for reasons of solidarity and to minimise competition among nationality groups. An issue-based approach may provide a possible model to strengthen the effectiveness of TEANs in promoting solidarity and collective action in Asia.

(2) Local, state/province and national governments need to be involved in solving migrant worker issues. There is also a need to mainstream migration issues as part of regional discussions, processes and mechanisms (such as ASEAN and APEC). The European experience may provide instructive examples in developing regional cooperation in approaching migration issues. International institutions, such as the International Organisation for Migration and the International Labour Organisation, need to play an important role in supporting research and advocacy.

(3) There is an urgent need to promote accurate information dissemination about migrant workers' experiences and contributions to, as well as positions within, local economies. In this regard, the media have a responsibility for information and education campaigns aimed at the general public.

For further information please contact Nicola Piper, ANU (02- 6247 6362) or Robyn Iredale, APMRN Secretariat, University of Wollongong (02- 4221 3448).