We, 120 delegates, representing 75 migrant organisations, national and Europewide networks, from 14 countries in Europe, and 10 representatives of migrant support organisations and NGOs from the Philippines, have come together in Athens on November 27-30, 1997, the eve of the Centennial of Philippine Independence, to address the theme on "Migrants Rights for Equality and Participative Development in Europe and the Philippines."
We are part of the Filipino migrant community in Europe now numbering 500,000 - 80% of whom are women. In addition, an estimated 300,000 Fi.lipino seafarers, representing 20% of total world seafarers, are mainly employed on European-owned international ships.
There is also a growing number of youth and second generation children among us, as well as the elderly.
We are engaged in work in the professional and service sectors - domestic workers and au pairs, seafarers and oil-rig workers, nurses and health workers, religious and church workers, entertainers and students.
Together with the 7 million Filipino Diaspora, spread throughout 146 countries in all continents of the globe, we are an integral and significant sector of the Filipino people.
We see ourselves as part of the 16 million black and ethnic migrant, immigrant and refugee communities in Europe.
Our experience of migration has been primarily shaped by the demand for a flexible international labor poor as a result of the globalisation of the economy. It is also driven by increasing poverty and unemployment at home as well as by an aggressive export labor policy of the Philippine government in its pursuit of a flawed development model.
We trace our first presence in Europe back to the beginning of this century when Filipino patriots were exiled in Spain. Some among us have been in Europe since the years immediately after World War II. However, most of us have come to Europe in the wave of Filipino migration which started in the 60s, peaked in the 70s and 80s and continues steadily in the 90s.
Here in Europe, the impact of the integration of the European Union (EU) has resulted in severely restrictive immigration policies, through mechanisms such as Trevi and Schengen, making legal migration almost impossible. Migrant rights which had been gained in previous decades and integrated into the legislation of many states in Europe, are being eroded e.g. family re-union, residency based on marriage, freedom of movement.
One of the direct effects of these restrictive immigration policies among migrant communities in Europe, including the Filipino community has been a significant increase in 'undocumented' migrants.
From the beginning, we have experienced institutionalised racism in the non-recognition of our academic and professional qualifications. We experience structural exclusion in employment and education, and limited access to official funding sources. As migrant women, we experience various forms of violence and gender oppression.
We have asserted and struggled for our migrant rights here in Europe. Alongside the 16 million migrant, immigrant and refugees of other nationalities, we have made and continue to make a substantial contribution to the economic, political, social and cultural development and enrichment of Europe. Our migrant labor, for instance, in caring for children, the elderly and the handicapped, has made it possible for Europe to maintain and improve the quality of life for its people.
Over the years, we have built a variety of organisations and networks at national and Europe level; pioneered innovative programs and projects for the education of our children, leadership and empowerment training, aids education and gender orientation. We have also developed alternative livelihood initiatives.
We are fully aware of the substantial contribution we as migrants make to the Philippines - to our families as well as to the economy. Migrant remittances for 1996 are estimated at US $ 7 billion, approximately US$ 2 billion of which are remitted from Europe. We want to continue to participate in the social transformation and sustainable development in the Philippines, where our families will enjoy more stable employment and a better life and not be forced to take the option of migration.
We are pained by the 'brain drain' and other social costs of immigration to the country as well as to our families.
However, we find ourselves excluded in the political process in the Philippines: we are disenfranchised and unable to vote; even as the option for dual citizenship has remained closed. Our embassies in Europe fail to defend and protect our rights and subject us to demeaning and unprofessional treatment.
In response to these realities of our migrant experience, and in recognition of our potentials and capacities, we reiterate our assertion of our human rights as migrants and our resolve to participate in the development of Europe and the Philippines. We, therefore, adopt this Filipino Migrant Agenda to guide our common work in Europe for the years to come.
Work for the liberalization of immigration laws of the European countries and of the EU, and campaign for the regularization of undocumented Filipino migrant workers.
Fight against racism and all forms of discrimination, together with other migrant, immigrant and refugee communities in Europe.
Work for the recognition of our academic qualifications and professional skills.
Address the issues and concerns of Filipino migrant youth growing up in a multicultural society.
Fight against the continued trafficking of persons, especially of women and children.
Campaign for the ratification and implementation of international conventions on migrant rights, paying particular attention to the ratification of the UN Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their families, particularly by member states of the European Union.
Encourage and support the development of economic enterprises and cooperatives of Filipino migrant organisations in Europe; and work to access state and Europe-level funding for our projects and programs.
Work for a revamp of the Philippine government's export of labour policy; a thorough refvision of the Magna Carta; the setting up of a full-blown Congress Committee on Overseas Filipinos; and a reorientation of Philippine Foreign missions to respond to and effectively serve the needs of the Filipino migrants.
Assert the Filipino migrants' right to vote and to self-representation in the Philippines.
Campaign to abolish double taxation.
Lobby for bilateral agreements between the Philippines and the host countries for the protection of the rights of Filipino migrants.
Work for the broadening of the concept of citizenship towards the grant of dual citizenship.l
Generate direct migrant investments in the Philippines that will enhance productivity and help alleviate poverty.
