Bangladesh 2016

In Jordan, UNHCR is using technology to provide refugees access to assistance,cash assistance using iris-scanning biometric technology and in cooperation with the local banks.

UNHCR is developing a five year strategy called 'A Global Strategy on Connectivity for Refugees and Digital Operations.' This strategy will focus on enhancing access to connectivity for all the refugees and the host communities through digital technology which will further improve protection, assistance and provide solutions. 

Radyo Tambuli is a mobile application in Tagalog (in English it means bugle horn or trumpet) that has been tested in the US whereby Filipinos in the US can access and look at the systems and programmes available to them as provided by the Philippines embassy in the US. This also includes a sort of e-911 facility where they could signal if they need any help or have a query/concern that the embassy could respond to. 

Pre Departure Orientations Seminar or PDOs stands in contrast to the PEOS. The PDOS is conducted just immediately, prior to departure or when migrants already have a contract of work. It is an educational programme designed to assist successful applicants for organized recruitment prior to their actual deployment, with information on the laws and procedues, cultural idiosyncracies and practices of the host country.  The Filippino government also holds a special hotline - anti-trafficking hotline 1343 which provides online legal counselling as well for anybody who needs it.

PEOS stands for Pre Employment Orientation Seminar. It is a general public information advocacy campaign that seeks to inform people about the realities of migration abroad. There is AIR guidance or Anti-Illegal Recruitment guidance which guides people toward the legal path of securing work abroad providing information on the legitimate jobs and the proper course of action to take.   

Egypt launched a new national strategy on combating illegal migration under the auspices of the National Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration (NCCPIM). The Strategy, which includes an action plan for the next two years, will ensure the protection of vulnerable migrants in Egypt  and will provide viable alternatives to illegal migration.

Thai authorities have enacted legislation to assist migrant sea-fishers, who are amongst the most vulnerable workers, by fighting illegal and unregulated fishing and labour abuses.

On February 4, 2016, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), an agency of the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which regulates activities related to Filipino migrant workers, passed Governing Board Resolution No. 4, series of 2016, which allows private recruitment agencies in the Philippines to participate in the recruitment, deployment and employment of Filipino nurses for Germany free of placement fee charges.

On 16 February 2016, the 176 member states of the Governing Council of IFAD, unanimously declared 16 June the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILY REMITTANCES. 

The Objective of this day, now held annually, is to recognize and raise global awareness of the fundamental contribution made by migrant workers to the wellbeing of their families and communities back home, and to the sustainable development of their countries of origin.

Following the Valetta Summit on Migration, the EU agreed on the Valetta Action plan --an extensive, balanced and efficient implementation plan built around five priority fields:

• addressing root causes of irregular migration
• promoting legal migration and mobility
• reinforcing of protection
• preventing and fighting smuggling and human trafficking
• strengthening cooperation in return and reintegration.