Sweden urged to lead forum on migration

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has urged Sweden to lead the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in encouraging countries of destination to be more engaged in the protection of migrants.

The Philippine Permanent Mission in Geneva strongly asserted the need for continued protection of migrant workers at the recent meeting of the GFMD.

During the side meeting with Ambassador Eva Akerman Borje on May 21, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Yabes, who headed the Philippine delegation, stressed the importance of social protection of migrants as a continuing major concern of the GFMD. Borje is the national focal person of Sweden.  

Yabes encouraged Sweden to lead the GFMD in encouraging countries of destination to be more engaged on migrant protection issues.

He also emphasized that migrant protection is a shared responsibility of both sending and destination countries. 

Sweden, current chair of GFMD until June 2014, will host the GFMD Summit in May 2014 in Stockholm.

GFMD is the largest government-led multilateral voluntary process tackling the issues and concerns on migration and development.

At the Senate, Sen. Loren Legarda has called for the strict implementation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act amid the reported proliferation of various forms of human trafficking in the country.

Legarda expressed concern over a CNN documentary on prostitution and cybersex as among the common forms of human trafficking, with minors as the usual victims. – With Christina Mendez