Representatives of National Human Rights Commissions (NHRCs) of various countries have stressed the need of a broader coordination and cooperation among the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of both receiving and sending nations to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers. Participants at a two-day international conference of NHRIs, organised by the National Human Right Commission-Nepal in the Capital, said the migrants workers were vulnerable to physical and mental abuses, exploitation and discrimination in both the countries of their origin and destinations.

Stating that exploitation and discrimination of migrant workers have been unavoidable aspect of migration on the pretext of growing intercountry mobility for employment, the speakers argued that the problem could be tackled well through common pursuits of the NHRCs of the labour sending as well as receiving countries. “Notwithstanding commendable role played by some international organisations in guaranteeing their rights, migrant workers are routinely misused, discriminated and stigmatised for political and economic reasons,” said Kedar Nath Upadhyay, chairperson of NHRCNepal.

The first day of conference was attended by chairperson of NHRC of India, KG Balakrishnan, chairperson of NHRC-Bangladesh Mizanur Rahman, chaipreson of NHRC-South Korea Hyun Byung Chul, chairperson of NHRC Maldives Mariyam Azra Ahmed, chairperson of NHRC-Sri Lanka Priyantha RP Perera and member of NHRC-Qatar Rashed M Al-Kaabi among other participants. Only South Korea, Qatar and Malaysia were the labour recipient countries participating in the event.

According to the organiser, around 39 participants, including 23 international delegates, are attending the conference divided into various discussion units on the basis of topics. Representatives of some countries criticised the NHRCs of the labour receiving countries of the Gulf and the Middle East. “It’s unfortunate that representatives of many labour receiving countries from the Gulf and the Middle East are not among us despite invitations. It shows their lack of commitment in ensuring the rights of migrant workers,” said chairperson of NHRC-Bangladesh Mizanur Rahman.

The interaction programme saw a lively debate on the incumbent age-restriction on the domestic migrant workers. “Although the ban violates the basic human rights of an individual, it was imposed for the welfare of migrant workers,” said KG Balakrishnan, citing widespread reports of physical and sexual abuses faced by domestic workers. Most of the South Asian countries, including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, have imposed some restrictions on the movement of female migrants.

Although the delegates claim that the provision was introduced to ensure exodus of only mentally and physically capable workers, various women activists term it an illogical and discriminatory. Speaker representing SKorea and Qatar acknowledged widespread problems concerning the rights of migrant workers but vowed to fight against them. “We have been doing whatever we could do from our side. There is a need of partnership,” said Essa Rashed M Al-Kaabi. Meanwhile, Hyun Byung Chul said the NHRC-South Korea was committed to improve the human rights condition of migrant workers by closely working with other NHRCs and sticking to various international treaties.

Andrew Bruce, regional director of Asia Pacific Region of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said safe migration has emerged as a challenge over the years. Labour and women trafficking; high recruitment costs; denial of minimum wages, health facilities, leave pay and gratuity; Kafala system; and restriction on the freedom of association and debt bondage, among others, are the key problems affecting the rights of migrants, said Bruce.

Inaugurating the event, President Ram Baran Yadav urged concerned NHRIs to play an effective role in ensuring the rights of migrant workers. “Both the governments and the National Human Rights Commissions should work together to address the problems of both male and female migrant workers,” said Yadav.

International Conference of NHRIs

Published on: 27 November 2012 | The Kathmandu Post