{"id":12846,"date":"2019-09-20T03:47:51","date_gmt":"2019-09-19T19:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mekongmigration.org\/?p=12846"},"modified":"2021-10-18T18:07:26","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T10:07:26","slug":"press-release-the-mmn-welcomes-commitments-made-by-governments-of-clmtv-on-the-portability-of-social-security-for-migrant-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mekongmigration.org\/?p=12846","title":{"rendered":"Press Release: The MMN welcomes commitments made by governments of CLMTV on the portability of social security for migrant workers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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20 September 2019<\/b><\/p>\n

Press Release: The MMN welcomes commitments made by governments of CLMTV on the portability of social security for migrant workers\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

During a two-day Policy Dialogue on the Roles of Countries of Origin organised by the Mekong Migration Network (MMN), representatives of governments, recruitment agencies\u2019 associations and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) from Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam jointly developed recommendations to enhance migrant workers\u2019 access to various social protection schemes, including social security systems.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

From 16-17 September, representatives of governments, CSOs, recruitment agencies\u2019 associations from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, the Embassies of the Republic of the Philippines and Japan in Phnom Penh and intergovernmental organisations gathered in Phnom Penh to hear research findings from the MMN\u2019s most recent publication and discuss how countries of origin can expand their role in enhancing migrants\u2019 access to social protection across borders. The Policy Dialogue took place in tandem with a Labour Ministerial Conference held on 17 September in Siem Reap between governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (CLMTV) aimed at creating a joint framework on the portability of social security for migrant workers in CLMTV. The MMN welcomes commitments made by governments of CLMTV in this regard.<\/p>\n

Between 2018 and 2019, the MMN conducted a research project to examine current efforts in countries of origin, namely Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, to facilitate migrant workers\u2019 access to social protection throughout the migration cycle and highlight migrants\u2019 experiences in accessing these mechanisms. The resulting study, entitled, \u201cSocial Protection Across Borders: Roles of Countries of Origin\u201d, is based on case studies of migrant workers currently in Thailand, migrant returnees in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam and interviews with government officials, CSOs and recruitment agencies\u2019 associations. The report highlights recurring issues faced by migrant workers across the three countries in accessing social protection schemes in destination countries and at home.<\/p>\n

Her Excellency Ms Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior, Royal Kingdom of Cambodia, noted in her keynote speech the importance of multilateral collaboration among countries of origin in protecting migrants\u2019 rights. She stated, \u201cWe face common issues across countries of origin and need common solutions. Sometimes we can work separately, but the results are different when we collaborate to bring issues to destination countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms Yin Yin Ohn, Deputy Director-General, Social Security Board, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, Myanmar, remarked, \u201cWe recognise the importance of social protection for migrant workers\u2026Myanmar is currently negotiating with destination countries such as Malaysia and Thailand to enable the portability of social security for Myanmar workers.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the Policy Dialogue, participants addressed a number of topics, including the current initiatives by different stakeholders to disseminate information relating to social protection schemes of destination countries, types of support available to migrant workers by embassies and diplomatic missions, the roles and responsibilities of recruitment agencies in assisting migrant workers\u2019 access to social protection and the current progress regarding the establishment of mechanisms to support portable social security between destination countries and countries of origin.<\/p>\n

In order to better promote migrant workers\u2019 access to social protection, participants collectively developed recommendations focusing on several aspects of the migration journey. Key recommendations for governments of countries of origin include:<\/p>\n