Leaders of ASEAN member states pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)Labuan Bajo (VNA) – ASEAN leaders on May 10 adoptedthe ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Membersin Crisis Situations during the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
The leaders agreed to adapt policies to include assistanceto migrant workers across occupational areas at all stages of crisispreparedness, response and recovery for the specific needs of migrant workers,especially women, and their families already residing with them in crisissituations.
ASEAN countries will mainstream the protection and promotionof the rights of migrant workers caught in crisis situations and their family members leftbehind in the policies, programmes and mechanisms of Sending States; facilitateaccess of migrant workers to timely and relevant information and supportservices in time of crises.
ASEAN leaders committed to supporting access to justice,grievance mechanisms and referral and support mechanisms to address variousforms of harm and exploitation experienced by migrant workers in crisissituations.
All migrant workers affected by crises are facilitated to gain timely access to sustained safety, health care, psychosocial support, socialprotection, livelihood support in time of furlough, sickness or injury, andreturn and reintegration to their countries of origin.
In addition, ASEAN leaders agreed to strengthen bilateraland/or multilateral cross-border coordination between countries of origin,transit and destination authorities in assisting and protecting migrant workersand their family members already residing with them in crisis and preventingthem from becoming undocumented or being the victims of trafficking in persons.
Member States will also strengthen cooperation toextend assistance to their migrant workers who are caught in crisis situationsoutside ASEAN in the event of need, based on the capacities and resources ofthe Embassies and Consular Offices of the relevant ASEAN Member States andbased on bilateral consultations and arrangements.
According to the declaration, ASEAN leaders agreed to promotewhole-of-society and whole-of-government collaboration and partnership betweenASEAN Member States and ASEAN’s External Partners, international organisations,and other relevant international entities to better protect migrant workers andtheir family members already residing with them in crisis situations throughoutentire migration process./.
