Migrations’ Middlemen Regulating Recruitment

Transcript:Migrations’ Middlemen Regulating Recruitment:
Migrations’ Middlemen Regulating Recruitment Agencies in the Philippines - United Arab Emirates Corridor Dovelyn Rannveig Agunias Policy Analyst, MPI June 3, 2010 Washington, DC Outline 1. Agencies’ Value vs. Cost 2. Key Regulatory Challenges 3. A Three Tier Labor Migration System 4. Policy Options 1. Agencies’ Value vs. Cost Value: Provide information, matching assistance and many kinds of logistical support while in the Philippines and upon arrival in the UAE. Cost: Charge excessive or unauthorized fees, engage in fraud and deceit and activities that border on human rights abuse 2. Key Regulatory Challenges Policy mismatch on: who can participate in overseas employment the allowable fees recruiters can charge migrants terms and conditions that must be included in every contract Domestic Worker Entitlements Under Philippine Regulation US$400 minimum monthly wage continuous rest of at least eight hours per day paid vacation of not less than 15 calendar days for every year of service employer assistance in remitting a percentage of salary through proper banking channels no salary deductions no confiscation of passport and work permit personal life, accident, medical, and repatriation insurance free roundtrip economy-class air ticket or money equivalent in case of contract renewal Source: POEA, Guidelines on the Implementation of the Reform Package Affecting Household Service Workers. 2. Key Regulatory Challenges Difficulties in implementation monitor the welfare of workers Services Rendered to Migrant Workers at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, First Three Quarters, 2008 and 2009 Reasons for Seeking Refuge at Filipino Workers Resource Center, December 2009 2. Key Regulatory Challenges Difficulties in implementation monitor the welfare of workers establish an adjudication system that migrants with complaints are willing to use Top Ten Complaints against Employers and Recruiters in the United Arab Emirates, 2009 [KK1]This has nine complaints for each column, not ten - please check Isolated Cases or Tip of the Iceberg? Recruitment Violation Cases by Type of Complaint, 2008 Status of Cases Filed in 2008 as of October 2009 A Three Tier Labor Migration System Policy Options Keep Low-Skilled Migration Low Demand and Supply Deployment of New Hires to the UAE, Domestic Workers and Professional, Technical and Related Workers, 1997 to 2008 Top Ten Approved Job Orders to the United Arab Emirates, 2005 to 2009 Policy Options Keep low-skilled migration low Make it harder for unscrupulous recruitment agencies to receive and keep a license Proportion of Filipino Recruiters by the Number of Workers Sent to the United