“Coming to the end of a year that is marked by
deeply worrying political events and continuing armed conflicts, we commemorate
International Migrants Day strongly reiterating that the protection of the
human rights of migrants is becoming more urgent than ever,” declares Rosa
Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International.
The victory of Donald Trump in the recent US elections
and the vote favouring Britain’s exit (Brexit) from the European Union were
fuelled by toxic, xenophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric. With political
elections coming up next year in many European countries, right-wing populist
political parties are using the same toxic rhetoric to win votes, irresponsibly
spreading fear and hatred.
“Everywhere, the human rights of migrants
are being attacked, inciting the spread of xenophobia, Islamophobia and
intolerance,” says Pavanelli.
“Migrants, as well as asylum seekers and
refugees, have become extremely vulnerable as they are being used as scapegoats
of the underlying economic uncertainties and rising inequality in our societies
today. It is unfortunate that many, particularly in developed countries, are
listening to this rhetoric and are now calling for increased controls on
migration and are fuelling xenophobia and racism. The steep inequalities and
grave economic uncertainty that we see now are, however, the result of the past
decades of economic policies which increased the power of transnational
corporations, dismantled public services, eroded natural resources, fuelled conflicts
and destroyed jobs and livelihoods. As a result, we have millions currently
displaced and millions more migrating to find work,” says Pavanelli.
“Governments, unfortunately, are
responding with increased border controls, tightened security, detention and
involuntary returns, including forging bilateral agreements deterring the
arrival of refugees. Such measures violate refugee rights and render migrants
vulnerable in the hands of smugglers and human traffickers,” she says.
“In the face of these social, economic,
and political challenges, we reiterate the urgency and primacy of protecting
the human rights of migrants and for Governments to pursue policies addressing
the root causes of economic vulnerability and inequality rather than exacerbate
them,” says Pavanelli.
“Migrants should not be victimized but should be
valued. They bring important social, cultural and economic contributions to our
societies. Remittances, the earnings that migrants send home, are not only
helping families and communities, but are also keeping many developing
countries’ economies afloat. Migrant workers are sought for their skills. In
the developed countries, migrant health workers are essential in providing
fundamental health and social care services, particularly in ageing societies
facing staff shortages,’’ adds Pavanelli.
Public
Services International is a global trade union federation representing 20
million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 150
countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and
promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United
Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other
organisations.
