IOM missions in the Philippines and Indonesia are teaming up with
the European Union (EU) to learn more about the impact on
development of remittances sent home by overseas workers.

Funded by the EU's AENEAS programme, which provides financial
and technical support for countries on migration and asylum, this
initiative will promote regional dialogue on labour migration in
addition to setting up pilot projects in Asia and Europe. It will
be implemented in partnership with NGOs – the Economic
Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF) and the
Jakarta-based community organization, Serikat Buruh Migran
Indonesia (SBMI).

IOM's Regional Representative in Manila, Charles Harns, says
that the project is based on the premise that migration should
impact national development, as well as the family members of
migrant workers.

"Our research partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and
the Netherlands, and diaspora organizations in Europe, will provide
essential perspective from academia and civil society as to how
this is happening," he notes.

The IOM missions in the Philippines and Indonesia have worked
extensively in the field of migration and development through
partnerships with government, intergovernmental agencies and
NGOs.

In Indonesia, IOM also works closely with BNP2TKI, the
Indonesian National Agency for the Placement and Protection of
Overseas Migrant Workers.

The second Global Forum on Migration and Development will be
hosted by the Philippines in October 2008.

For more information, please contact:

Ida Mae Fernandez

IOM Manila

Tel. +63 2 848 1260 ext 172

E-mail:  "mailto:ifernandez@iom.int">ifernandez@iom.int