World Social Forum-2024

Concept note on

Interactive session: Where do you stand with women migrant workers?

keywords: Women Migrant Workers, Domestic Workers, Overseas Migrants, Cross Boarder Migrants 

Organizers: BNSK Bangladesh, AMKAS Nepal, Our Journey Malaysia, and Migrant Women Forum (MWF) are jointly organizing an interactive session 

Date and venue: 17th February 2024 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am in the RATNA RAJYALAXMI CAMPUS-BLOCK C-Floor-2- Room-7.

In 2021, 70 million women globally were working as international migrant workers more predominantly in domestic work and agricultural sectors. International Labor Organization (ILO) has also identified discriminatory policies of country of origin and destination against women migrant workers as one of the major root causes of forced labor. Women are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection hence governments take a protectionist view of policies on women migrant workers. However, age barriers, family approvals, etc. may work against women who are unable to fulfill such requirements and seek irregular migration. This session will be an interactive session with participants to discuss the issue of women migrant workers and what role we are playing nationally, regionally, and internationally to establish their rights and entitlement. 

The key Questions of this seminar are to find causes and solutions for women migrant workers especially those working as domestic workers in the destination country.

1. What are the protectionist policies imposed on women and whether you agree to such policies

2. Whether we should have women-empowering policies rather than protectionist policies. If yes, what should the policy look like

3. How should we advocate for better policies for women migrant workers?

World Social Forum- 2024

Interactive session: Where do you stand with women migrant workers?

Kathmandu Declaration

BNSK Bangladesh, AMKAS Nepal, Our Journey Malaysia, and Migrant Women Forum (MWF) jointly organized the event with the active participation of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and other countries participants to discuss the issue of 'Where do you stand with women migrant workers? the session was held on 17th February 2024 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am in the RATNA RAJYALAXMI CAMPUS-BLOCK C-Floor-2- Room-7. An interactive discussion was held in the presence of national, regional, and international migrant rights organizations, and networks to discuss the issue of vulnerabilities and violation of labour rights of women domestic workers in the destination countries. Migration is a choice but human rights are universal consider the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Migrants are vulnerable in every step of his or her journey and women migrants are more vulnerable than men. Due to working as domestic workers, they are not recognized by the labor law. So sexual exploitation and other violence happened due to proper protection. They must be RESPECTED, RECOGNIZED, AND REMUNERATED for their work.

In 2021, 70 million women globally were working as international migrant workers more predominantly in domestic work and agricultural sectors. International Labor Organization (ILO) has also identified discriminatory policies of country of origin and destination against women migrant workers as one of the major root causes of forced labor. Women are seen as vulnerable and in need of protection hence governments take a protectionist view of policies on women migrant workers. However, age barriers, family approvals, etc. may work against women who are unable to fulfill such requirements and seek irregular migration. All the countries have not yet ratified the ILO Convention 189 (C-189) which is important to protect the rights of women migrant workers.

Keynote presenter: Bijaya Rai Shrestha, Executive Director, AMKAS, Nepal

Discussants were from the following organization

- Sumaiya Islam, ED, Bangladesh Nari Shramik Kendra (BNSK);

- Representative from OUR JOURNEY and

- Representative from MIGRANT WOMEN FORUM

Solidarity voice or Statement from the discussants and participants:

1. Participated Organizations should take the initiative and advocate with the respective government for the ratification of the ILO Convention- 189 (C-189) 

2. The participating organizations take proper advocacy initiatives with the respective government authorities to take proper action for safe and orderly migration.

3. Women Labour Migrants should be RESPECTED, RECOGNIZED, and REMUNERATED in both source and destination countries.

Signatories:

- Bagladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK)

- AMKAS Nepal

- OUR JOURNEY, Nepal

- MIGRANT WOMEN FORUM, Nepal

- Migrant Forum Asia

- Ovibashi Kormi Unnayan Programme (OKUP), Bangladesh

- Association of Community Development (ACD), Bangladesh

- Gobinda Jee, Nepal

Other Associated Organizations and Trade Unions from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and other countries