01 April 2016 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, along with the Philippine Consulate General and the Office of the Labor Attaché in Geneva celebrated Women’s Month by hosting an open forum entitled #Talakayan: The Rights of Filipino Women, Migration and Labor.

Over 50 kababayans were in attendance for the forum.  Reflective of the demographic of overseas Filipino workers in Geneva, over three quarters of the participants were women.  Permanent Representative Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong opened the forum with a few words of welcome on the importance of commemorating International Women’s Day, and the celebration of Women’s Month. 

Ambassador Rebong was followed by Consul General Enrico Fos who made a presentation on Human Trafficking and Smuggling.  Labor Attaché Criselda Sythen took the floor with a presentation on the International Labor Organization Convention C189 - Domestic Workers Convention, which both the Philippines and Switzerland have ratified. Consul Elena Maningat closed with a presentation on the Magna Carta of Women in the Philippines and the importance of gender mainstreaming. Consul General Fos also distributed flyers listing contact details for local organizations based in Geneva where victims of abuse or violence at home or in the workplace can seek immediate assistance.

The open forum provided a venue for a lively discussion on the difference between human smuggling and trafficking, illegal recruitment, the rights of domestic workers in Geneva, minimum wage, and the challenges faced by all those engaged in domestic work regardless of immigration status.  Given the enthusiasm of the community to discuss the subject matter, the Philippine Mission is looking to organize a second forum specific to the concerns of kababayans, such as migration, labor and workers’ rights. 

The Philippine Mission to the UN, the Philippine Consulate General and the Office of the Labor Attaché look forward to bringing services and assistance that address the needs of kababayans in Geneva and Vaud. END