Alternative broadcasting for the empowerment of migrant workers

Kommunikation für positiven sozialen Wandel fördern

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Alternative broadcasting for the empowerment of migrant workers

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By María Teresa Aveggio (Aguirre), Programme Manager, WACC & Teresia Mutuku, Communications Officer and Web Manager, WACC

		Based in Hong Kong since 1984, the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) is a church-based regional migrant centre working for the promotion and protection of the rights and wellbeing of migrants in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. It has consistently promoted and protected the rights and welfare of migrants in both regions which attract large numbers of migrants, the majority of whom work as domestic labourers. Although originally APMM’s constituency was the Filipino migrant community, APMM also services other migrant groups including Indonesian, Nepali, Thai and Sri Lankan. APMM is committed to support the international migrants’ movement through advocacy, organizing and building linkages and networks for the advancement of migrants’ rights in the host countries.
APMM’s Managing Director, Ramon Bultron addressing staff at WACC.

With the support of WACC the APMM carried out a 12-month project to address the limited accessibility and lack of capacity of migrant workers in disseminating information especially related to their socio-economic and cultural rights, working and living conditions, as well as analysis of national issues in their respective countries.

APMM trained a group of migrants in radio production and broadcasting techniques. Taking advantage of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) a group of 20 migrant workers, most of them women, are now able to produce, broadcast and upload re-recorded broadcasts onto the APMM website thus reaching more migrants. The programmes are also recorded on CD for distribution in order to ensure that all concerned are able to access the information provided.

Broadcasts are done in several local languages to facilitate use of the information in strengthening migrant organizations and their advocacy efforts.

At the end of the project participants recognised the importance played by communication and the opportunities provided by ICTs in the empowerment of migrants domestic workers, specially women, and as a way of advancing their rights not only in the host communities but also in their home countries. Making their voice heard within contexts which frequently severely limit their human rights and marginalise them, has been an important step in the struggle for migrants rights.

During a recent visit to WACC office in Toronto, APMM’s Managing Director, Ramon Bultron, thanked WACC for its support, noting that the communication materials produced with WACC’s support have played an important role in advancing the voice of the migrants. The materials included a comic book which illustrates various struggles faced by the migrants.

He further thanked WACC for supporting the training for migrants in broadcasting skills. Those trained will soon start posting podcasts addressing the migrants’ concerns.

WACC’s General Secretary, Randy Naylor, reiterated WACC’s role of promoting communication rights for migrants around the world.

Meanwhile, APMM played a key role last year in the formation of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) which is geared to establishing linkages and solidarity among migrants all over the world. The alliance provides a global platform and capacity for grassroots migrants and their advocates to engage international bodies in the struggle against the institutionalization of forced migration on ta global scale.

For more information, visit the APMM website.

Watch video about the launch of IMA here

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WACC promotes communication for social change. It believes that communication is a basic human right that defines people's common humanity, strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates community and challenges tyranny and oppression.

The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.