VARIOUS: U.N. calls for better protection for women migrants

Governments world-wide must do more to protect a growing number of women from exploitation when they venture overseas to work and earn money for their families, a U.N. report said on Wednesday (September 6). Almost half of the world's 191 million migrants are women, mainly from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) said. These women send a larger chunk of their typically lower wages back home to support relatives than male migrants, making them a key factor in global poverty reduction, according to the UNFPA State of World Population 2006 study. But policies designed to support migrants rarely account for the vulnerability of females to human trafficking and other forms of abuse -- a factor that must be changed to enable women to work safely and fulfil their earnings potential. "This report calls on governments and individuals to recognize the contributions of migrant women and promote and respect their human rights. There is an urgent need for stronger cooperation between countries to make migration more safe and more fair. And there is a dire need for greater action to address the lack of opportunities and human rights violations that lead many women to migrate in the first place," UNFPA executive director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, told Reuters. Women, who historically migrated for marriage or to join their families, are increasingly travelling abroad to work thanks to better transport and communication, said the report, which also highlights the plight of 10-24-year-olds who migrate. Thanks for a new road connecting China to Laos, women are helping to transform the traditional local economy of the landlocked country. Laotian women are able to sell bamboo shoots to Chinese merchants. For many women, migration is an empowering experience, they are able to earn money and decide how to spent it. Chinese migrant shopkeeper, Wei Qiaomei, decided she could earn an income in Laos selling imported goods from China. "I just came here for holidays, and I saw other people making money, and I thought 'that's a good business'," said Qiaomei. UNFPA said overall remittances generated by male and female migrants came to an estimated 232 billion dollars in 2005, with the actual amount likely to be much higher because money transferred through informal channels was not counted. Some 167 billion dollars of this goes to developing countries, making it the second largest source of external funding after foreign direct investment. This money helped to boost the local economy, improve child health care and reduce mortality rates. But UNFPA said more needed to be done to harness the long-term economic benefits. "Domestic work is one of the largest sectors driving international female labour migration. And because it takes place in the home, away from the public sphere, it has not received the public policy attention it deserves. Domestic workers are rarely protected by labour laws or allowed to organize. This leaves many dependent on employers for legal status basic needs such as housing and food and the payment of due wages. It also leaves them vulnerable to abuse. The reports calls on governments to protect the rights of domestic workers," said Obaid. Migration also carries risks, with many women ending up as prostitutes, over-worked domestic helpers or sweatshop workers. "Today human trafficking is the third most lucrative illicit business in the world after arms and drug trafficking. And as we point out in the report, widespread discrimination and violence against women and restrictive immigration policies that limit opportunities to migrate safely and legally fuel the trafficking trade. As you know this trade is very closely tied to sexual exploitation and abuse and many victims are forced into sex work against their will, and held as virtual sex slaves," said Obaid. Another worrying trend was the number of professionals, such as nurses and doctors, from developing countries like Zimbabwe and Uganda -- where such skills are greatly needed -- who move overseas to find better-paid work. Obaid said she hoped to raise awareness about the need for poor countries to educate people about their rights when working abroad. In return, nations on the receiving end should help immigrants to integrate smoothly. Contrary to fears that immigrants take jobs, drive down wages and are a burden on the state, UNFPA said the impact is often positive, with foreign workers filling the low-paying but essential roles that residents do not want.

ITN Source | September 7, 2006

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