By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“Governments look at remittances as a tool for development and a means to repay global debt. They have actually put a positive spin on massive forced migration and commodification of workers. They have the gall to call it a ‘tool for development’ when it fact it results in the decimation and break-up of families, the exploitation of millions of workers and the uneven distribution of wealth and power in the world.” – Irene Fernandez, migrants’ rights activist
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Over 100 migrants and refugees representing various peoples organizations from several European countries gathered to convene the founding assembly of the Europe section of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) in Rome, Italy last April 29. The migrants and refugees originally came from countries such as the Philippines, Ecuador, Colombia,…
“We are challenging the GFMD (Global Forum on Migration and Development) because we are for genuine peoples’ development. We adhere to the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, which is consistent with our dream of a society ‘where people are not forced to migrate as a matter of survival; a society where there is…
Apparently, the purpose of the Forum is not so much to promote and protect the rights of migrants and overseas contract workers but to serve as a venue for dialogue between developed countries, which are concerned with the uncontrolled influx of migrants, and developing countries that are dependent on the export of labor. BY BENJIE…