K. Velayudam President, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Sri Lanka.

1. K. VelayudamPresident, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Sri Lanka. THE ROLE OF MIGRANT WORKERS’ FRONT ANDTHE CHALLENGES FACING AS RIGHTS BASED ORGANIZATION

2. National Trade Union Federation NTUF • Established in 2004. • Member organizations. • Membership. • Affiliations • Special features of the Constitution

3. Decent Work Campaign Trade Union Demonstration Our Women in International Forum Founding Congress

4. Background • Globalization and liberalization of the economy; Positive – Expansion of the economy, opportunities & scopes • Negative – • Growth & expansion of informal economy, Increased individualism & Reduced unionization. Enlarged inequalities among rich vs. poor and urban vs. rural & plantation people.

5. Background… • Thus, • the poverty • lack of employment opportunities • the growing demands of the families; • the needs and aspirations • (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.

6. , 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Challenges… • 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.

10. 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.

11. NTUF Work… • 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.

12. 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.

13. NTUF Work… Support services... (Pre-departure Training) • Educate the Migrant workers on • present legal condition • Awareness raising on foreign employment regulation • Role of Bureau of Foreign Employment and Employment Agencies • Create awareness on work environment, culture, language and etc. of destination countries • Cash management and profitable investment

14. 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.)

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. To be continued….Thank You Very Much