High Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Migrant Worker’s Health and Access to HIV services
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Transcript of High Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Migrant Worker’s Health and Access to HIV services
High Level Multi-Stakeholder High Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Dialogue on
MIGRANT WORKER’S HEALTH AND ACCESS MIGRANT WORKER’S HEALTH AND ACCESS TO HIV SERVICESTO HIV SERVICES
Marta Vallejo MestresMarta Vallejo Mestres29 November 201129 November 2011
Pho
to b
y B
rahm
Pre
ss
P
ARAB
STA
TES
HONG KONG
Estimated Numbers of Migrants (SEA)
From countries of origin: 12.6 million (3 million under documented)
Main Countries of Origin
P
ARAB
ST
ATES
HONG KONG
Estimated Numbers of Migrants (SEA)
In host countries: 7.6 million
(3.8 under documented)
Main Host Countries
P
ARAB
STA
TES
HONG KONGEstimated Numbers of
Migrants (SEA)
From countries of origin: 12.6 million (3 million under documented)
In host countries: 7.6 million
(3.8 under documented)
Estimated Numbers of Migrants in Asia
43.8 million (25 % World, 1.3%
Population)
Migration in Asia
3
19
28
4 5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Korea Malaysia Singapore Taiwan (China) Thailand
Foreign Workers in Key Receiving Countries (% of LF)
34 39
53
66 67
79
92
101
113
-
20
40
60
80
100
120
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Source: World Bank
More than tripled in 8
years
Very large number of people are moving, and patterns of movement are very diverseSome important factors: Economic and development disparities and improved infrastructure, transportation and communications systems
Migrants in destination countries mainly engage in 3D jobs, which locals either don’t want to do or would charge much larger amounts to do them
The economic gains generated by migrant workers to countries of origin through remittances are considerable
Limited preparedness and poor access to information and services render migrants vulnerable
Agents charge large sums of money which pushes migrant workers into further debt
High cost of migration is not matched with sufficient wages
Abusive and exploitative working conditions and lack of redress mechanisms trap migrants in a vicious cycle of poverty
Migration is not a risk factor for HIVBut the conditions under which people migrate increases the vulnerability for HIV infectionMigrants face discriminatory policies (especially on HIV) facing restrictions on entry, stay, and residence
Most common reasons cited for these restrictions:
• To protect public health• To avoid possible costs associated with
care, support and treatment of PLHIV
HIV testing in both countries of origin and host countries is not migrant friendly (no counseling nor support), even though is an opportunity to inform migrants of HIV risksPolicies and laws related to HIV specific restrictions on entry, stay and residence of migrant workers either ban PLHIV to enter or restrict their stay
Deportation of HIV positive migrants by host countries and absence of reintegration programmes in countries of origin
perpetuate distressful migration conditions
Globally, 49 countries, territories and areas (including 13 in Asia Pacific) impose some form of
restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV, based on their HIV status
Jointly organized by former UNRTF / ASEAN Sec and CARAM Asia
Produced a very progressive set of recommendations, used as advocacy tool in the region
First submission to AICHR
Ministers and Ministries of Health used it during the WHA of 2009
Development of an easy to use scorecard
Large number of people are moving
Around 44 million are international migrants, and a large percentage are undocumented
Unsafe migration puts migrants at risk
Abusive and exploitative working conditions and lack of redress mechanisms trap migrants in a vicious cycle of poverty
HIV restrictions on entry, stay and residence
HIV testing, deportation of HIV positive migrants and lack of reintegration perpetuate distressful migration conditions
Migrants fall between the cracks, lack of money to address their needs, and not clear who is in charge
Migrants are beyond reach of programmesThey are not reached by home programmes and
usually not accounted for in the host country programmesGovernments reject the responsibilty on
each othersWhen it comes to health and welfare services, governments give priority to their citizens.
General lack of comprehensive policies for migrants
Also supported by the lack of detailed data on migration and health