Respondiendo a COVID-19 en la región Asia-Oceanía (2 Julio 2020, Global)

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Responding to COVID-19 in the Asia-Oceania region

This webinar was organized by “The Future of Work, Labour after Laudato Si” global project, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), and Caritas Asia. The purpose of this virtual event was to share scientifically based and reliable information on the impact of COVID-19 on migrants, refugees, and irregular works in the Asia-Oceania region, and on the prevention of spreading the virus. Moreover, these types of sessions showed us how important is to expand our cooperation while building a foundation for information and collaboration across United Nations affiliates and civil society organizations.

Participants from more than ten countries joined this session was moderated by Msgr. Robert Vitillo, ICMC Secretary General, which included speakers from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and representatives of Catholic-inspired organizations from across the Asia-Oceania region.

Sarah Hess from the WHO spoke to attendees noting when the WHO announced the novel coronavirus elevated to a global “pandemic” on March 11, 2020, there was a corresponding increase in public health measures taken after this date. Notably there are factors that increase vulnerability to viral infection, such as water sanitation implications on hygiene, poor access to healthcare and basic services, and high dependence within the informal sector.

Ivan Ivanov, also from the WHO, identified problematic areas within the Asia-Oceania region related to further spread of COVID-19. There was a second wave of COVID-19 in Singapore, which occurred mainly in dormitories for migrants. Under India’s lockdown orders, migrants continued to move between states, spreading the virus, and in the Middle East, the agricultural season is just beginning there and many of those who work in that industry are migrants. The WHO recognizes the vulnerability of migrants and refugees and has issued a special recommendation regarding occupational work and safety. This recommendation emphasizes all workers should be treated in the same manner, have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and health to help them to prevent serious illness due to COVID-19, which could possibly worsen the national situation. The concepts of respect and solidarity emerge through the guidance documents of WHO and other relevant multi-lateral organizations, which emphasize that, if we do not respect certain vulnerable populations, the whole population will suffer.

Anna Biondi from the ILO, highlighted the unprecedented time in which we find ourselves and mentioned that, for the first time since World War II, the ILO will not be holding its annual International Labour Conference (ILC) in June, in Geneva, Switzerland. She spoke on the gender divide within the world of work, which already was problematic prior to the pandemic, and emphasized that workers’ rights should not be linked strictly to formal employment. Moreover, the disruption of the global supply chains, especially in the garment sector in Southeast Asia where the situation is increasingly dire, and daily wages prior to the pandemic were at a level of mere subsistence. In fact, even those jobs are disappearing, and the workers lack the benefits of social protection systems.

Ms. Biondi also pointed out that universal health coverage is not simply about compassion, but about the survival of all. In relation to this, she gave the example of Pope Francis’ Easter message for a universal basic wage for workers to provide the essentials for families. Furthermore, she emphasized the possibility of freezing national debt and applying “no conditionalities” to countries that want to improve their social protection systems.

Among questions posed by the audience to Anna Biondi (ILO) and Adrian Pereira from the North South Initiative were: How can we ensure nondiscrimination between local and migrant workers, as many countries prioritized national services for their citizens? How can we help ensure zero tolerance regarding discrimination? Ms. Biondi responded that, regrettably, this is our reality. Migration must be counted among the most difficult issues confronted within the multi-lateral systems, and governments have failed to discuss and address migration because of the existence de facto discrimination. As a result, many migrants are sent back to their home countries or denied access at the border. The ILO’s conventions No. 97 and No. 143 address issues facing migrants, but they are not ratified by many States. She recommends that, although there is often a legislative process in place, social and political pressure must be created, in coordination with trade unions, because together we can effectuate change.

Mr. Pereira called for cross-border movements to be strengthened, especially in terms of solidarity between country of origin and country of destination. The importance of safe repatriation and access to justice for those who were unlawfully entrenched cannot be underplayed. These issues must be faced in addition to the need for data management on the number and situations of migrants, which would provide better assistance. This data would track migrants’ needs by an efficient referral system addressing the various rights issues migrants face, including breaches in data security and privacy.

Dr. Archana Sinha from the Indian Social Institute contributed to the conversation by adding that, although deaths in India associated with COVID-19 have been relatively low, the following imperatives remain: saving lives and livelihoods. She believes that, among the poor in India, the greatest challenge is one of survival since the lockdown has rippled the economy. Dr. Sinha recommends proactive interventions related to anticipated job losses, increased cases of abuse to women and children at home, the plight of migrant works, and vulnerability of frontline workers to the virus.

Shabari Nair, Regional Migration Specialist with the ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia, shared that workers from South Asia migrate for work mainly to the Middle East and to South-East Asia, and that labour migration also exists within the region in South Asia, with an increase  in the number of migrant workers. Furthermore, he added that almost one-fifth of the total migrant population in the world come from South Asia (approx. 50 million from South Asia, among 164 million migrant workers and over 264 million total migrants in the around the world).

This ILO expert said that the current situation is much more than a health crisis, it is also a jobs and livelihoods crisis since so many migrant workers are affected. COVID-19 also has impacted the economies in the destination countries, where there is a push for the nationalisation of the work force. Irregular migration is clearly an issue that can be attributed to both the push and pull factors from countries of origin and destination. A number of migrants are now returning to their home countries, leading to ‘reverse’ migration that requires a strong focus on reintegration, a new perspective in existing employment and social protection systems. He concluded that governments also need to take this opportunity to be more engaged in multilateralism to better address migration issues and share experiences and knowledge at both the regional and global levels.

ICMC, Caritas Asia and “The Future of Work, Labour after Laudato Si” global project appreciates the participation of all webinar attendees whose valuable contribution continues to provide a collaborative atmosphere of transparent data- and experience-sharing, reflection, and understanding of the situation of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at field level. Such sessions remain valuable for future cooperation as webinar attendees work to address the underlying issues, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.