FRANCE CITES RP LEADERSHIP IN MIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS PROTECTION; EXPRESSES KEEN INTEREST IN CONCLUDING AGREEMENT ON FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENT EXCHANGE

In his statement to the French media following his meeting with Secretary Romulo here, France’s Minister for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development Brice Hortefeux lauded the Philippines for its leadership, experience and expertise in protecting migrant workers’ rights.

Secretary Romulo had earlier stressed that upholding and protecting the rights, welfare and well-being of Filipinos overseas is “one of the pillars of Philippine foreign policy under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.”

 secretary Romulo underscored Philippine efforts to strengthen cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral for a to advance migrant workers rights protection.

“In ASEAN, at the UN and in our bilateral talks with our friends in the international community, the welfare and well-being of our nationals are of paramount concern,” Secretary Romulo said.

 “The Department has been at the forefront of efforts to broaden stakeholder support for the protection and promotion of migrant workers’ rights,” Secretary Romulo explained after his meeting with Minister Hortefeux.

“With the rise of international migration as a global reality, we are committed to protecting our nationals wherever they may be,” Secretary Romulo added.

Underlining the importance of international cooperation for protecting migrant workers’ rights, Secretary Romulo invited Minister Hortefeux to participate in the 2^nd Global Forum on Migration and Development to be hosted by the Philippines in October 2008, which Minister Hortefeux accepted. 

Under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship, members signed the Declaration on the Protection of the Rights during the 12^th ASEAN Summit in Cebu in January 2007. 

At the 40^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Manila in July 2007, ASEAN followed through with a Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

At the 40^th AMM, ASEAN members also established the Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations.

In the press conference, Minister Hortefeux expressed France’s keen intent on concluding an agreement with the Philippines on professionals and student exchange, underscoring the skills, expertise of Filipinos, “the commonalities between our cultures,” and the Filipino’s facility to learn and adapt to the French language.

Secretary Romulo welcomed France’s intent, saying France’s expressed intent widened opportunities for cooperation in an important field that “can bring our peoples closer in greater understanding and respect.”

Minister Hortefeux identified France’s health care, ICT and hostelry as possible sectors for cooperation, adding that student exchange also showed great promise, given France’s excellent educational institutions.

Secretary Romulo and Minister Hortefeux witnessed the signing of a Joint Statement on Filipino professionals and Student Exchange by Philippine Ambassador to France Jose Abeto Zaide and Secretary General Patrick Stefanini of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Immigration Control. 

The Statement is seen as the first step in widening Philippines-France cooperation for professionals and student exchange. END