International Migrants Day: Report Launch “Rapid Assessment on Social and Health Impact of COVID-19 Among Returning Migrant Workers in Cambodia”

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s an enormous pleasure to be with you at the launching event on the International Migrants Day.

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

It’s an important day, to celebrate the human rights of migrants, acknowledge the challenges they face, and come together to reimagine human mobility. Sustainable and inclusive human mobility that leaves no one behind.

Today, more people than ever live in a country other than the one in which they were born. Including myself, as I have moved to various countries for work.

While some of us migrate out of choice, many others migrate out of necessity.

In 2019, the number of migrants globally reached an estimated 272 million, 51 million more than in 2010.

This new era has created challenges and opportunities for societies throughout the world. It also has served to underscore the clear linkage between migration and development.

This can be seen clearly when looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people on the move is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities which are combined from a health crisis, a socio-economic crisis and a protection crisis.

In Cambodia, since the border closure with Thailand in March, approximately 115,000 Cambodian migrant workers have returned.

This situation has created a humanitarian emergency and a health threat by the potential spread of the coronavirus. There are also concerns about the situation of the returning migrant workers (RMW) and their families.

The report launched today shows that at least one-fourth of the respondents are in a critical situation in terms of daily subsistence because they have no work, no income, not enough food, and often are pressured by debts. For this scenario, women are more affected than men.

Yet, let us not forget that migrants also contribute to the economy and society, for example through remittances, or by being essential workers keeping our societies safe.

COVID-19 has reminded us just how much our health, our food, and our economies are reliant on safe, orderly, and regular movement of people.

While countries were locked down due to the pandemic, migrant workers have continued to care for the sick and elderly, keep goods and services moving. They are a critical piece of our recovery plans.

Looking ahead, how can we best address challenges to human mobility posed by crises like COVID-19 without compromising the human rights of people and states’ sovereignty?

A broad range of factors will affect the characteristics and scale of migration in the future.

The decisions we make in the face of today's unparalleled challenge to global mobility, and people on the move, will affect the global social and economic landscape for years to come.

One of the tools to help guide our decisions is the Global Compact for Migration.

It provides a platform for humane, sensible, mutually beneficial action.

One of the most significant features of the Global Compact is its recognition of the essential roles to be played by many actors, including Governments and migrants themselves, of course, but also civil society, academia, trade unions, the private sector, diaspora groups, local communities, parliamentarians, national human rights institutions and the media. 

The United Nations is a key part of that constellation of partners.

The report launched today is already an example of a growing partnership, funded by the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the Rapid Assessment on the Vulnerabilities of Migrants was led by UNFPA together with IOM, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UN Women.

It contains recommendations for policymakers and development partners alike.

The United Nations stands ready to support the RGC to implement these recommendations.

In the short term, developing guidelines for supporting returning migrant workers through a participatory process, involving local authorities, CSOs, private sector and migrant workers themselves.

And in the long-term, supporting interventions that favour the re-integration of returning migrant workers in the workforce. This could include facilitating access to the job market, vocational training, small business support and encouraging farming and facilitation of land access.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of well-governed migration for prosperous and healthy societies. By including migrants, regardless of their status, we can build back better.

Let’s work together for a sustainable, inclusive and more prosperous future both for our own societies and for the world’s migrants.

Thank you.