Repression and Resilience: COVID-19 Response Measures and Migrant Workers' Rights in Major East and Southeast Asian Destinations

Can the COVID-19 pandemic bring about a transformation towards more inclusive governance of migrant workers regardless of their status?

To examine this question, Human Rights Working Group, Forum Asia, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation will co-host a webinar to share the research findings about Covid-19 response measures and challenges faced by migrant workers in East and Southeast Asian countries

Migrant workers globally have become one of the most vulnerable and disproportionately affected groups from the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also continue to face the greatest risk of infection. Further, the discrimination that migrant workers face has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Migrant workers are also suffering the economic ramifications due to the pandemic’s impact on the global economy.

This new research, joined by scholars and experts of civil society organisations working on the frontlines, aims to 1) assess the impact of pre-existing migration policies and COVID-19 public health measures, often based on strong national interests, on migrant workers, 2) explore how vulnerabilities translate to real-life experiences of migrant workers, and 3) examine how state and non-state actors, including businesses and civil society, are dealing with challenges faced by migrant workers. 

This research is also aimed at amplifying voices of those who are affected and bringing their perspectives to policy discussions at the national and regional levels.