ILO-HSF PROJECT ‘ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF RETURNED VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING’

1. ILO-HSF PROJECT‘ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF RETURNED VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING’ PROJECT OVERVIEW Robert L. Larga National Project Coordinator

2. It is said that ……………. • There are more than 9 million Filipinos abroad, either as immigrants or temporary migrants, in at least 87 countries • 10% of the Phil. Population live and work overseas, sending back US$8B p.a. • Significant destinations are Saudi Arabia, HK/China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and the US

3. It is said that ……………. • The Philippines is a source, transit and destination country • The 2006 UNODC Trafficking in Persons Report cites the Philippines as “HIGH” among origin countries; “MEDIUM” among destination countries; and “VERY LOW” among transit countries • Philippines ranked “HIGH” among countries of origin in Asia • RP referred as among countries of origin of trafficked persons to North America and Oceania

4. It is said that ……………. • UNODC Report also cites Bangkok as transit for Filipino nationals being trafficked to Italy • Major destinations for trafficking for forced prostitution from Indonesia and the Philippines include Australia, HK-SAR, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (ILO, “A global alliance against child labor: A Global Report”, 2005) • Internal trafficking from rural to urban metropolitan areas also exists either for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor

5. It is said that ……………. • In Southeast Asia, Thailand and the Philippines are among the countries facing serious problems of trafficking in persons • Policies and measures have been adopted to address the situation • Return and reintegration has remained the least concern of policy and program interventions, or if so, inadequately or inappropriately addressed

6. KEY CHALLENGES FACING RETURNEES UPON RETURN • Stigmatization; family relationships • Financial problems • Psychosocial; medical; and health issues • Large number of women marrying Japanese men return as single mothers

7. KEY CHALLENGES FACING RETURNEES UPON RETURN • For the unskilled, self-employment often seen as the only option for returnees (or re-migrating) • Success of self-employment limited - capital not skills the main gains from migration • Those who work in domestic or entertainment sectors abroad won’t do the same at home • Age, relationships and economics are the main factors affecting reintegration

8. KEY REINTEGRATION ISSUES • Lack of information: in detail and recent information • Few official returns: small numbers; general approach; lack follow-up • Many unofficial returns: difficulty in identifying and accessing returnees • Referral system: need to ensure effective coordination and provision of services

9. KEY REINTEGRATION ISSUES • Community-based approach: need to adopt more community-based reintegration • Psycho-social assistance: lack resources and capacity • Complaint mechanism and legal follow-up: systems to be set in place • Lack of employment opportunities: need economic activities with market (a work that works)

10. PROJECT FOCUS • Objective • TO SUPPORT THE HUMANE REINTEGRATION OF RETURNED MIGRANTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED EXPLOITATION OR ABUSE ABROAD – AND WHO NEED ASSISTANCE • By the end of the project: • Returned migrants who have faced exploitation abroad, will have been assisted, empowered and protected from further exploitation including re-trafficking • The capacities of the reintegration service providers will have been improved

11. PROJECT SCOPE • Timeframe and coverage • (3 years, 2006-2009) • Philippines and Thailand • Target group • 150-200 returned migrant per year per country (450-600 for the project period; will also depend on actual numbers of returnees) • Both official and unofficial returnees (returning on their own) • Priority to: • migrants within Southeast/East Asia (Japan; Malaysia; Singapore; Hong Kong; Taiwan; China; South Korea) • teenagers and young women • recently returned migrants (within the last two years) • other groups: men; those returned more than 2 years ago

12. Target Group and Trafficking Definition

13. IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUP Keeping in mind that: • Trafficking in persons is occurring within the larger context of migratory flows. Many migrants have faced exploitation abroad – although not legally identified as trafficking cases. • Need to be needs oriented and include assistance to unofficial returnees (exploitation and need of assistance are key) • There are not enough official identified victims of trafficking to meet the target numbers for the project (against unofficial returnees) • Many women do not see themselves as victims of trafficking – even if they have been exploited etc. For them the “trafficking box” might feel artificial

14. PROJECT FUNDING • Budget • Total of close to US$ 2 Million (2 countries over 3 years) • Sub-contracts amount to approx $380,000 per country • Approximate budget breakdown: 15% on knowledge; 25% capacity building; 65% direct assistance • Donor • Funded by the Government of Japan and the UN through the Human Security Fund

15. Project structure & staff Donor, HSF, Japan ILO-IPEC, HQ ILO-ROAP Specialists

16. APPROACHES • Develop a flexible approach that provides real solutions to the individual (versus ‘one size fits all solution’) • Work with and for returnees in order to empower them to improve their situation • Listen and learn carefully from returnees about their concerns, needs and ideas • Respect differences between individuals and different choices • Respect and protect privacy and confidentiality • Promote self-reliance and resiliency • Foster a rights-based, bottom-up approach

17. STRATEGIES • Improving the knowledge base • Track and tracer study on returnees • Mapping of available services and support mechanism • Capacity building/systems development • Improving the capacities of service providers to reintegrate returned migrants • Developing a central and systematic referral mechanism • Developing returnees profile and success indicators • Strengthening the capacity of social workers to develop individual reintegration plans • Strengthening linkages between key agencies and organizations in sending and receiving countries

18. STRATEGIES • Direct support • Referral to social services • Development of individual reintegration plans • Health care & psychological counseling if needed • Legal assistance • Economic reintegration (career counseling, income generation activities, vocational training and job placement services) • Social reintegration (peer to peer support networks) • Family support (family counseling and community-based awareness) • Provision of longer term reintegration programs • Campaign: Safe migration – Safe Return

19. Partners • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) • BATIS + BATIS AWARE • DAWN • Kanlungan Center Foundation • Workers & Employers Organizations

20. Links & collaboration

21. The project contributes to the implementation of the IACAT’s National Strategic Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2004-2010).

22. Organize trafficked persons through the creation of survivor groups Make available skills training and livelihood services Conduct capability building activities for service providers Strengthen mechanisms for provision of interventions Peer-to-peer support networks Economic reintegration activities Trainings for service providers Referral system IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs

23. Establish a data bank to identity efficient and effective measures and services for victims and their families Establish collaborative mechanism as the local level Conduct research and documentation of best practices on reintegration Reintegration data base Family and community support mechanisms Track and tracer study; mapping of available services; documentation of good practices IACAT Strategic ILO-HSF Activities Project Activities/Outputs

24. Thank you for your attention!