Church group expresses concern over global recruitment of migrant workers
-14/12/04
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Church group expresses concern over global recruitment of migrant workers
-14/12/04
A Church group has expressed concern about “global recruitment” to meet the needs of rich nations and called on the Government to work within the EU for the ratification of the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers
In a statement following discussion at Westminster Abbey with MPs, The Churches’ Refugee Network responded to a recent government report on migration.
The Network said it welcomed the publication in July 2004 of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee Report, ‘Migration and Development: How to Make Migration Work for Poverty Reduction’, pointing to its positive recommendations in a number of ‘key areas’.
Two members of the Committee, Tony Baldry MP the Chairman and Tony Colman MP) took part in the ‘Round Table’ discussion at the Abbey.
Noting that historically the Christian faith has been spread through patterns of migration, the Network pointed to the biblical figure and migrant Abraham, shared by the Christian faith with both Jews and Muslims.
The Network said; “We believe the churches should remind British people of the ways in which British culture and life has been established and enriched by migrants to these shores.”
“We welcome the report’s careful study of migration, both within and between countries, and support its call for more research in this area. We believe the relationship between migration and development (which we see as the promotion of a wider ‘human flourishing’ than mere economic prosperity) in countries of origin has to be examined with great care ?as this report begins to do.”
“However, we remain concerned about the extent to which global recruitment to meet the needs of rich nations such as Britain pressurises family and community life in countries of origin, and deprives developing nations of skilled personnel.” the statement continued.
“We share the dissatisfaction the report expresses with controls over recruitment of healthcare personnel from developing countries. We support the recommendation that patterns of ‘circular’ (time-limited) migration, with opportunities for the acquisition of skills in receiving countries, be promoted.”
The Network was keen to stress the need to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are adequately protected and “treated as human beings”, not “merely as economic units.”
“While there is a body of international law, not to mention national legislation, that aims to do this, the lack of specificity about migrants’ entitlements has been a major stumbling block in the protection of their human rights.” the statement said.
The 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant workers and Members of their Families addresses some of these issues. However, while it has achieved over 50 signatures or accessions, none have been from the major industrialised countries which are the main users of migrant labour.
The Churches’ Refugee Network said it regretted that no EU country had ratified the Convention, especially as it is generally agreed that EU countries will continue to need migrant workers.
“We therefore call on the UK Government to work within the EU for the ratification of the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers” it said.
“We recognise that the reasons for migration (voluntary and involuntary) are complicated: ‘Migration cannot be divorced from the wider international system of economics and politics that shapes the lives of poor people’. The cruel reality is that political persecution and economic oppression frequently overlap.”
“Often people flee from economic conditions which derive from failures of the political process. This should be recognised in the interpretation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. We most strongly urge the UK Government to maintain its commitment to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and to ensure that its proposals to manage ? and in selected cases foster – migration do not compromise the support and protection afforded to asylum seekers.”
The Network were also keen to praise the report.
“This is a Report which presents voluntary migration in a positive light and seeks to address the needs of involuntary migrants. It takes forward a discussion too often dominated by the brutal rhetoric of the popular press.”
The Government’s response is expected soon and there will be a debate in the House of Commons early in the New Year.
Church members are being urged to study the report and to make their views on the issues it raises known to relevant ministers, their MPs and church leaders.
Church group expresses concern over global recruitment of migrant workers
-14/12/04
A Church group has expressed concern about “global recruitment” to meet the needs of rich nations and called on the Government to work within the EU for the ratification of the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers
In a statement following discussion at Westminster Abbey with MPs, The Churches’ Refugee Network responded to a recent government report on migration.
The Network said it welcomed the publication in July 2004 of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee Report, ‘Migration and Development: How to Make Migration Work for Poverty Reduction’, pointing to its positive recommendations in a number of ‘key areas’.
Two members of the Committee, Tony Baldry MP the Chairman and Tony Colman MP) took part in the ‘Round Table’ discussion at the Abbey.
Noting that historically the Christian faith has been spread through patterns of migration, the Network pointed to the biblical figure and migrant Abraham, shared by the Christian faith with both Jews and Muslims.
The Network said; “We believe the churches should remind British people of the ways in which British culture and life has been established and enriched by migrants to these shores.”
“We welcome the report’s careful study of migration, both within and between countries, and support its call for more research in this area. We believe the relationship between migration and development (which we see as the promotion of a wider ‘human flourishing’ than mere economic prosperity) in countries of origin has to be examined with great care ?as this report begins to do.”
“However, we remain concerned about the extent to which global recruitment to meet the needs of rich nations such as Britain pressurises family and community life in countries of origin, and deprives developing nations of skilled personnel.” the statement continued.
“We share the dissatisfaction the report expresses with controls over recruitment of healthcare personnel from developing countries. We support the recommendation that patterns of ‘circular’ (time-limited) migration, with opportunities for the acquisition of skills in receiving countries, be promoted.”
The Network was keen to stress the need to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are adequately protected and “treated as human beings”, not “merely as economic units.”
“While there is a body of international law, not to mention national legislation, that aims to do this, the lack of specificity about migrants’ entitlements has been a major stumbling block in the protection of their human rights.” the statement said.
The 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant workers and Members of their Families addresses some of these issues. However, while it has achieved over 50 signatures or accessions, none have been from the major industrialised countries which are the main users of migrant labour.
The Churches’ Refugee Network said it regretted that no EU country had ratified the Convention, especially as it is generally agreed that EU countries will continue to need migrant workers.
“We therefore call on the UK Government to work within the EU for the ratification of the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers” it said.
“We recognise that the reasons for migration (voluntary and involuntary) are complicated: ‘Migration cannot be divorced from the wider international system of economics and politics that shapes the lives of poor people’. The cruel reality is that political persecution and economic oppression frequently overlap.”
“Often people flee from economic conditions which derive from failures of the political process. This should be recognised in the interpretation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. We most strongly urge the UK Government to maintain its commitment to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and to ensure that its proposals to manage ? and in selected cases foster – migration do not compromise the support and protection afforded to asylum seekers.”
The Network were also keen to praise the report.
“This is a Report which presents voluntary migration in a positive light and seeks to address the needs of involuntary migrants. It takes forward a discussion too often dominated by the brutal rhetoric of the popular press.”
The Government’s response is expected soon and there will be a debate in the House of Commons early in the New Year.
Church members are being urged to study the report and to make their views on the issues it raises known to relevant ministers, their MPs and church leaders.