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Migrants are often poorly informed about the skills required in other countries. And they may know little of the customs and languages of the places they are going to. Countries of origin therefore need to protect migrants by preparing them for departure.
Many migrants set out with
virtually no knowledge of the language of their destination country, without any training for the work they are expected to do. Domestic workers from a poor background, for example,
will find it difficult to work in affluent homes equipped with modern household
labour-saving devices. Consequently a large number of these workers are subjected to
maltreatment, physical assault and non payment of wages by employers.
To prepare workers better, some Asian countries now offer them short pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) — often with the support of NGOs. Trade unions too, through contacts between unions in sending and receiving
countries can help migrant workers adequately prepare for work overseas.
The Philippines Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has a well developed curriculum for such seminars. Some workers will also require language training. In Bangladesh, for example, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, has an English Language Laboratory to offer training for nurses and hotel workers.
What the ILO can offer
The ILO has considerable experience in all types of skills training. Support is available through the Skills and Employability Department which helps individuals to become more employable through training, skills development and education. It also promotes greater investment in skills and training so that men and women have better access to productive and decent work — both at home and overseas.
The ILO Gender Promotion Programme has produced a series of booklets that can be used as a basis for preparing migrants.
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