High Level Multi-Stakeholder High Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Dialogue on

MIGRANT WORKER’S HEALTH AND ACCESS MIGRANT WORKER’S HEALTH AND ACCESS TO HIV SERVICESTO HIV SERVICES

Marta Vallejo MestresMarta Vallejo Mestres29 November 201129 November 2011

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HONG KONG

Estimated Numbers of Migrants (SEA)

From countries of origin: 12.6 million (3 million under documented)

Main Countries of Origin

P

ARAB

ST

ATES

HONG KONG

Estimated Numbers of Migrants (SEA)

In host countries: 7.6 million

(3.8 under documented)

Main Host Countries

P

ARAB

STA

TES

HONG KONGEstimated Numbers of

Migrants (SEA)

From countries of origin: 12.6 million (3 million under documented)

In host countries: 7.6 million

(3.8 under documented)

Estimated Numbers of Migrants in Asia

43.8 million (25 % World, 1.3%

Population)

Migration in Asia

3

19

28

4 5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Korea Malaysia Singapore Taiwan (China) Thailand

Foreign Workers in Key Receiving Countries (% of LF)

34 39

53

66 67

79

92

101

113

-

20

40

60

80

100

120

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Source: World Bank

More than tripled in 8

years

Very large number of people are moving, and patterns of movement are very diverseSome important factors: Economic and development disparities and improved infrastructure, transportation and communications systems

Migrants in destination countries mainly engage in 3D jobs, which locals either don’t want to do or would charge much larger amounts to do them

The economic gains generated by migrant workers to countries of origin through remittances are considerable

Limited preparedness and poor access to information and services render migrants vulnerable

Agents charge large sums of money which pushes migrant workers into further debt

High cost of migration is not matched with sufficient wages

Abusive and exploitative working conditions and lack of redress mechanisms trap migrants in a vicious cycle of poverty

Migration is not a risk factor for HIVBut the conditions under which people migrate increases the vulnerability for HIV infectionMigrants face discriminatory policies (especially on HIV) facing restrictions on entry, stay, and residence

Most common reasons cited for these restrictions:

• To protect public health• To avoid possible costs associated with

care, support and treatment of PLHIV

HIV testing in both countries of origin and host countries is not migrant friendly (no counseling nor support), even though is an opportunity to inform migrants of HIV risksPolicies and laws related to HIV specific restrictions on entry, stay and residence of migrant workers either ban PLHIV to enter or restrict their stay

Deportation of HIV positive migrants by host countries and absence of reintegration programmes in countries of origin

perpetuate distressful migration conditions

Globally, 49 countries, territories and areas (including 13 in Asia Pacific) impose some form of

restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV, based on their HIV status

Jointly organized by former UNRTF / ASEAN Sec and CARAM Asia

Produced a very progressive set of recommendations, used as advocacy tool in the region

First submission to AICHR

Ministers and Ministries of Health used it during the WHA of 2009

Development of an easy to use scorecard

Large number of people are moving

Around 44 million are international migrants, and a large percentage are undocumented

Unsafe migration puts migrants at risk

Abusive and exploitative working conditions and lack of redress mechanisms trap migrants in a vicious cycle of poverty

HIV restrictions on entry, stay and residence

HIV testing, deportation of HIV positive migrants and lack of reintegration perpetuate distressful migration conditions

Migrants fall between the cracks, lack of money to address their needs, and not clear who is in charge

Migrants are beyond reach of programmesThey are not reached by home programmes and

usually not accounted for in the host country programmesGovernments reject the responsibilty on

each othersWhen it comes to health and welfare services, governments give priority to their citizens.

General lack of comprehensive policies for migrants

Also supported by the lack of detailed data on migration and health