Social Development and Poverty

This report recommends ways to combine regional and national strategies for containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure. It summarizes the assessments of the HIV/AIDS situations in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, particularly along transport corridors connecting these two countries with each other and with neighboring states. And it concludes by highlighting the need for an improved coordination of disease prevention and control at the regional level, with measures such as vulnerability mapping and targeted intervention.

This report recommends ways to combine regional and national strategies for containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure. It summarizes the assessments of the HIV/AIDS situations in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, particularly along transport corridors connecting these two countries with each other and with neighboring states. And it concludes by highlighting the need for an improved coordination of disease prevention and control at the regional level, with measures such as vulnerability mapping and targeted intervention.

Migration within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) can be categorized as international migration, internal migration, and border mobility. Labor migration in the GMS is widespread and concerns at least 3 to 5 million workers.

International, bilateral, and national legislation provide the legal framework for addressing migration issues. However, gaps still exist, cooperation could be enhanced, and governance issues still slow the process down.

The main issues related to labor migration in the GMS are the following:

• Readiness for economic integration in the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Economic Community (AEC). The transition toward a knowledge-based economy needs mechanisms to recognize the emerging skills and an environment attractive to highly skilled migrants;
• Regularization of migration. Irregular migration should be curbed by creating an environment in which regularization is sustainable to migrants;
• Migrant workers' rights. Rights and protection of migrant workers are not yet ensured, even if laws that address regular migrants exist. This is part of the environment that makes regular migration non-sustainable for migrants;
• Migration of women and children. The feminization of migration should be mainstreamed into migration policies to protect women and children; and
• Data availability. Knowledge on labor migration is sorely lacking. Research should be encouraged through both quantitative and qualitative surveys for greater understanding of how migration works within the subregion.

Recommendations

Regarding migration within the GMS, recommendations emerging from this paper include the following:

• Increase protection mechanisms for migrants in cross-border settings;
• Strengthen capacity and legal framework in managing labor migration;
• Enhance social protection for migrants and their families;
• Promote ethical recruitment and employment;
• Strengthen return and reintegration support to migrants;
• Increase knowledge management mechanisms; and
• Promote effective use of remittances.

Migration within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) can be categorized as international migration, internal migration, and border mobility. Labor migration in the GMS is widespread and concerns at least 3 to 5 million workers.

International, bilateral, and national legislation provide the legal framework for addressing migration issues. However, gaps still exist, cooperation could be enhanced, and governance issues still slow the process down.

The main issues related to labor migration in the GMS are the following:

• Readiness for economic integration in the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Economic Community (AEC). The transition toward a knowledge-based economy needs mechanisms to recognize the emerging skills and an environment attractive to highly skilled migrants;
• Regularization of migration. Irregular migration should be curbed by creating an environment in which regularization is sustainable to migrants;
• Migrant workers' rights. Rights and protection of migrant workers are not yet ensured, even if laws that address regular migrants exist. This is part of the environment that makes regular migration non-sustainable for migrants;
• Migration of women and children. The feminization of migration should be mainstreamed into migration policies to protect women and children; and
• Data availability. Knowledge on labor migration is sorely lacking. Research should be encouraged through both quantitative and qualitative surveys for greater understanding of how migration works within the subregion.

Recommendations

Regarding migration within the GMS, recommendations emerging from this paper include the following:

• Increase protection mechanisms for migrants in cross-border settings;
• Strengthen capacity and legal framework in managing labor migration;
• Enhance social protection for migrants and their families;
• Promote ethical recruitment and employment;
• Strengthen return and reintegration support to migrants;
• Increase knowledge management mechanisms; and
• Promote effective use of remittances.

This publication examines the impact of the crisis among migrant workers and their families—with gender perspective—to provide useful information for better evidence-based policy making.

Based on household surveys in Indonesia and the Philippines, the results show that women are in worse condition and are more vulnerable than men. Women migrants still have lower education and skills, reflected in their inferior jobs. They face greater difficulties in reintegration when they return, forcing them to return abroad. Women also bear a heavier burden due to their gendered role in the family, and those who stay are more often unemployed or in vulnerable employment. Moreover, despite strong views that the man should be the breadwinner and the one going abroad, the increasing feminization of current migration indicates that necessity is a strong push factor forcing more women to go abroad.

These findings further strengthen the call for considering gender in migration policies.

This publication examines the impact of the crisis among migrant workers and their families—with gender perspective—to provide useful information for better evidence-based policy making.

Based on household surveys in Indonesia and the Philippines, the results show that women are in worse condition and are more vulnerable than men. Women migrants still have lower education and skills, reflected in their inferior jobs. They face greater difficulties in reintegration when they return, forcing them to return abroad. Women also bear a heavier burden due to their gendered role in the family, and those who stay are more often unemployed or in vulnerable employment. Moreover, despite strong views that the man should be the breadwinner and the one going abroad, the increasing feminization of current migration indicates that necessity is a strong push factor forcing more women to go abroad.

These findings further strengthen the call for considering gender in migration policies.

The study examines labor market trends and obstacles to women’s economic empowerment—particularly in agriculture, business development, and wage employment. Labor migration and vulnerability to shocks are highlighted as special themes. It makes a series of policy recommendations, identifies areas for further research, and highlights how Asian Development Bank investments can promote women’s economic empowerment.

The study examines labor market trends and obstacles to women’s economic empowerment—particularly in agriculture, business development, and wage employment. Labor migration and vulnerability to shocks are highlighted as special themes. It makes a series of policy recommendations, identifies areas for further research, and highlights how Asian Development Bank investments can promote women’s economic empowerment.

Domestic policies and bilateral agreements are necessary to support efficient job matching, eliminate abuses in the recruitment process, and protect the rights of workers abroad.

Key points

• Labor migration reduces structural imbalances in regional and global labor markets.
• Migrants find jobs not available at home or earn higher wages.
• Receiving countries fill vacancies and reduce skill deficits.
• Institutions in origin and destination countries are designed to facilitate efficient job matching and to protect workers.
• However, inadequate enforcement of worker protection results in the abuse of workers in some destinations.

Policy Brief 2015-1

Domestic policies and bilateral agreements are necessary to support efficient job matching, eliminate abuses in the recruitment process, and protect the rights of workers abroad.

Key points

• Labor migration reduces structural imbalances in regional and global labor markets.
• Migrants find jobs not available at home or earn higher wages.
• Receiving countries fill vacancies and reduce skill deficits.
• Institutions in origin and destination countries are designed to facilitate efficient job matching and to protect workers.
• However, inadequate enforcement of worker protection results in the abuse of workers in some destinations.

Policy Brief 2015-1