K. VelayudamPresident,

National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Sri Lanka.

THE ROLE OF MIGRANT WORKERS’ FRONT ANDTHE CHALLENGES FACING AS RIGHTS BASED ORGANIZATION

National Trade Union Federation NTUF

Established in 2004.

Member organizations.

Membership.

Affiliations

Special features of the

Constitution

Our Women in International

Forum

Decent Work Campaign

Trade Union Demonstration

Founding Congress

BackgroundGlobalization and liberalization of the

economy;Positive –

Expansion of the economy, opportunities & scopesNegative –

Growth & expansion of informal economy, Increased individualism & Reduced unionization. Enlarged inequalities among rich vs. poor and urban vs. rural & plantation people.

Thus, Ø the poverty Ø lack of employment opportunitiesØ the growing demands of the families; Ø the needs and aspirations Ø (On children’s education, housing, modern

household equipment and high cost of living)

Push underprivileged, less educated and poor to migrate from rural to urban & overseas as unskilled workers.

Background…

, 9% of the GDP

In 2010, 15% of the workforce, 1.8 million are cross boarder migrants and they earn 9% of the GDP, 4.1 $. billion

Migrant workers mostly …

• women domestic workers.

• unskilled workers • not enjoy any of

decent work conditions.

• Subject to many human right violations

• treated as modern slaves,

almost all unskilled migrant workers from Asia and other countries face the same

situation.

Challenges.

Non availability of appropriate and comprehensive laws and regulations to cover the rights.

Thus, no job security and social security.

Lack of institutional arrangements to regulate and intervene.

Lack of commitment from the duty bearers

Applicable data/ info are not available.

Difficult to reach out in migrant workers.

No provisions as TU registration

TU leadership behavior

Created negative attitudes towards TU.

Challenges…

NTUF Work

In 2011 the NTUF facilitated the

establishment of Migrant Workers front –

MWF.

Collecting data and information regarding

domestic workers.

Mobilizing and organizing Migrant

Workers/ Domestic Workers.

Visiting Migrant Workers families and

motivating the rights of MW.

Strengthen coordination mechanisms

between the NTUF and the TU linked with

the MoU.

Network between Employment Agents, the

grassroots level functionaries and Migrant

Workers established.

NTUF Work…

NTUF Work…

Advocacy and sensitization of state

authorities is being initiated.

Join

campaign is

initiated with

among ITUC

affiliated

Trade Unions

and civil

society

organizations to ratify C 189.

Support services... (Pre-departure Training)

Educate the Migrant workers on

Ø present legal condition

ØAwareness raising on foreign employment

regulation

ØRole of Bureau of Foreign Employment and

Employment Agencies

ØCreate awareness on work environment,

culture, language and etc. of destination

countries

ØCash management and profitable investment

NTUF Work…

Work with foreign employment Bureau

to eliminate unlawful practices.

Link and network with other service

providers, (i.e. Banks to arrange money

transfers and savings accounts.)

NTUF Work…

Support services... (After departure or in service )

Help desks to attend the day to day

needs,

i.e. grievances and coordinate with other

stakeholders.

Expand welfare activities for family

members of Migrant Workers.

NTUF Work…

Coordinate and network with TU in

receiving countries (based on the MoU

supported by ITUC)

Coordinate with the Embassies, other

CSO or Human Rights Commissions/

Agencies as applicable.

NTUF Work…

Support services... (After return or post service )

Guide them on viable options to start or

improve alternate livelihoods

Linking them with existing TU (NOSE)

or self-help groups or promoting them

to be in other social groups to enable

them to articulate their rights and

services.

NTUF Work…

To be continued…. Thank You Very Much