7th December 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Singapore, December 8th, 2010: There are now 214 million international migrants, according to the latest annual report of the International Organisation for Migration, and their number is set to continue growing. Migration has a big impact on both countries of origin and countries of destination, influencing social policies and development. Migrants themselves face radical changes in how they live. Some prosper, but all too many pay a high price for trying to make a better living for their families by working abroad.
On 18 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (hereafter, ‘Migrant Workers Convention’). It has been ratified by 44 states and signed by a further 15 states. The Convention recognises the specific vulnerabilities of migrant workers and promotes humane and lawful working and living conditions. It provides guidance on the elaboration of national migration policies based on respect for human rights and the rule of law. It sets out provisions to combat abuse and exploitation of migrant workers and members of their families throughout the migration process.
In common with other major destination countries, Singapore has not signed onto the convention. Destination countries generally view the convention as one that would require them to make far-reaching changes to their laws and practices, some of which might be unpopular with sections of their own population. Nevertheless, the arguments for supporting the convention
are strong.
TWC2’s President John Gee says, “Implementing this convention will be a tall order for all countries, and especially major destination states, but the protections it proposes arise from real needs. It is time for destination states to start signing on to the convention and ratifying it. It may take some time to implement the convention, but the first step towards doing so can be taken now, by a decision in principle in favour of supporting the convention.”
TWC2 urge the Singapore government to seize the occasion of the 20th anniversary to undertake a review of the steps that would be required for Singapore to comply with the provisions of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, with a view to signing and ratifying the convention in the near future. This could set a good example for other major destination states. We hope that on 18 December 2010, we can also celebrate the ratification of the Convention by other states.
We would like to invite your journalist and photographer to our annual event during International Migrants Day:
Date: 12th December 2010 (Sunday)
Time & Venue: 3 to 7pm, Banquet hall above Ananda Bhavan, 95 Syed Alwi Road (in front of Mustafa Centre)
Kindly let Ms. Sha Najak know if you want to interview Mr. John Gee, President of TWC2. Please call 6247 7001 or email to [email protected].