Managing International Labor Migration: The Philippine Experience

This paper reviews the Philippine international labor migration management infrastructure using Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) framework. Thirty years of government experience in managing high-volume labor migration has resulted to a network of institutions and policies dedicated to promote the welfare of migrant workers. This paper seeks to describe the migration management infrastructure based on the laws and regulations promulgated governing international labor migration, and on the mandates of public institutions created and the procedures it introduced. Consistent with the RIA framework it also describes the impact on the overall international migration sector as well as on a specific component — the household service workers. Although the Philippines is considered by many as the global model in managing international labor migration, indicative weaknesses in the system is recognized. The paper highlights the need for greater coordination among public institutions as well as the strengthening of its manpower composition. It also highlights the fact that the policy initiatives can miss their mark such as the initiative to professionalize the household service workers sector which are either largely ignored or not known to migrant workers concerned.