GLOBAL COMPACT FOR MIGRATION OBJECTIVES 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22

Enhancing consular support

Effective consular protection is essential to safeguard the rights of migrants in countries of origin, transit and destination. By providing effective consular support, governments can ensure their nationals abroad receive assistance in times of need. This requires collaboration among actors at all stages of migration. It must be properly resourced and integrated with national judicial and support systems in destination countries.

Recent positive initiatives have included:

The government of the Philippines has worked with the private sector to leverage digital platforms to engage migrant workers, prioritize requests and respond to concerns.

The ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations was adopted in 2023 and focuses on enhancing consular services and ensuring comprehensive protection for migrant workers.

Ensuring access to basic services

It is all migrants’ human right to have access to basic services such as health care, education, housing and legal assistance. Yet migrants often face significant barriers to access these services, including discriminatory legal restrictions. Their working conditions are challenging: they are frequently denied rest leave and paid sick leave. Migrants with irregular status are especially marginalized. Women migrant workers can face additional barriers to accessing in-person services, including those to address gender-based violence.

Migrant children face significant challenges in accessing basic services, ranging from health care and education to social support systems, which hinders their development. Migrant children are at risk of experiencing discrimination and stigma based on their migrant status. When born in destination countries, children face a heightening the risk of being undocumented or stateless. Child protection systems are rarely fully inclusive and responsive to the needs of children impacted by migration. Bolstering this institutional support is essential.

The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) highlights the importance of creating and diversifying regular migration pathways to protect the rights of migrants. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that regularization of migrants’ status can improve access to basic services such as health care.

Recent positive developments have included:

A Regional Plan of Action for Implementing the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Migration (2021—2030) which underscores the commitment to uphold and fulfil the rights of all children living in migration or displacement, regardless of their status.

Measures to improve access to health care for migrants and treat tuberculosis have been taken in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where Afghan migrants account for one in five cases. Mobile vans and X-rays have been used to support Afghan migrants and refugees get screened, including in rural areas.

Empowering migrants and societies

Migrants can play a vital role in building resilient communities. This requires a favourable view of migration and embedding measures to promote migrant integration and inclusion in national systems. The equal participation of women migrants is especially important. The removal of the gender wage gap and gender-based restrictions that limit their mobility and rights is essential.

Across Asia and the Pacific, efforts are underway to reduce polarization and foster public confidence in migration. In Malaysia, this has been done through videos showcasing conversations between migrant workers, refugees and prominent Malaysian figures. Work at the local level is vital; mayors and local authorities in countries such as Japan and Türkiye have actively promoted mutual respect between host communities and migrants.

Promoting financial inclusion for migrants

Migrants can contribute to labour markets, innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering economic growth and job creation. Socially, migration promotes cultural exchange, diversity and social cohesion, enriching societies and strengthening social resilience. Environmentally, migration can contribute to climate resilience and adaptation, as migrants often seek opportunities in response to environmental challenges and disasters. Realizing migration’s potential depends on upholding migrants’ rights and ensuring their equitable access to labour markets. Migrants need documented status and to have their professional skills and credentials recognized.

Remittances can be a key driver of sustainable development, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, where they account for up to 40 per cent of GDP and are crucial for many communities. To maximize these benefits, key are partnerships between governments, financial institutions, civil society and diaspora groups which make a particularly significant contribution in the region. Such partnerships can promote inclusive systems and support digital remittances, empowering migrants financially and socially. Further work is required to ensure that migrant workers have access to affordable and migrant-friendly remittance and banking services.

Towards faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances

Making remittance transfers quicker, cheaper and safer is crucial for migrant workers and their families. SDG target 10.c is to reduce remittance costs below 3 per cent. Yet despite their importance, remittances are still sent through informal channels due to high costs, limited access to banking, lack of trust in formal systems, missing identification documents or not having pay slips or contracts.

Women, who tend to remit smaller amounts more frequently, are more likely to rely on informal methods due to higher relative costs in formal systems. Frameworks are needed to encourage competition among remittance service providers and to support flat service fees and competitive foreign exchange rates.