CMW/C/PHL/CO/3
55.
The Committee urges the State party to take all steps necessary to safeguard the
rights of children in the context of migration. It recalls the recommendations of the
Committee on the Rights of the Child18 and further recommends that the State party:
(a)
Conduct an impact assessment of the comprehensive national
reintegration programme to ensure that it is responsive also to the situation of children
of migrant workers in situ and those left behind in the Philippines;
(b)
Formulate a comprehensive and systematic rights-based policy on the
collection of qualitative and quantitative data on all categories of children affected by
migration, as the basis for a comprehensive policy aimed at the protection of their rights;
(c)
In cooperation with destination countries, invest in developing measures
that will allow families of overseas Filipino workers to relocate together, paying special
attention to those engaged in low-wage occupations.
Causes of migration
56.
The Committee acknowledges the State party’s efforts to address the causes of
migration, namely through its economic development programme, which includes local
employment creation strategies. It regrets the absence of a comprehensive policy designed to
address the root causes, and the limited visibility of migrant workers and members of their
families in regional agendas on migration matters.
57.
The Committee recalls the recommendations of the Committee on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights,19 and further recommends that the State party develop a
comprehensive, inter-agency and rights-based policy to address all the structural causes
of migration, including, inter alia:
(a)
Developing action plans that focus on rights and that are designed to
comprehensively address the structural causes of migration and to guarantee the rights
of all migrants and their families, irrespective of their migration status, and that are
measured by short- and long-term goals and progress indicators;
(b)
Encouraging the participation of civil society and specialized international
agencies in the planning and implementation of policies to address the causes of
migration;
(c)
Given the exposure of the State party to climate change-induced natural
disasters, integrating migration patterns into its risk analysis on disaster risk reduction
and preparedness, and response to natural disasters, as well as in the adaptation and
mitigation measures to deal with the negative impacts of climate change.
Trafficking in persons
58.
The Committee notes with appreciation the robust legislative and institutional
structure in place to combat trafficking in persons in the State party, and the capacity-building
efforts made to investigate and prosecute acts of trafficking. It is concerned, however, about
the absence of information provided on:
(a)
The effectiveness of the measures in place to identify, assist and protect victims
of trafficking;
(b)
The existence of clear guidelines on timely identification, referral, protection
and assistance for victims of trafficking, that are responsive particularly to the situation of
children, asylum-seekers and persons at risk of statelessness;
(c)
The systematic collection of data on trafficking in persons, and efforts to raise
public awareness about the crime specifically among migrant workers, both those seeking
employment domestically and those seeking employment internationally.
18
19
12
CRC/C/PHL/CO/5-6, para. 24.
E/C.12/PHL/CO/5-6, para. 26.
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