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Making the World a Welcome Home for Human Mobility.
Many overseas workers leave their homes with little or no understanding of their rights as workers where they work. They and their families are also poorly prepared mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Most understand the economic benefits of overseas employment without understanding of the high social costs of migration. SMS proposes to develop a pre-departure human rights based education to be implemented at grassroot communities.
- Sexuality & Health Education
Traditionally sex is a taboo subject hence many migrant domestic workers are ignorant of the health risks of casual sex. Unwanted pregnancies, abortion, abandoned babies, STDs and HIV AIDS are the outcomes of the lack of accurate information. SMS Indonesia is working in collaboration with YMKK an NGO dedicated to reproductive health launch a campaign on safe sex and health risks for migrant women workers.
- Shelters for Victims of Trafficking & Exploitation
The `moral and material needs` of victims have to be addressed and safe havens must be in placed to protect women and children from the effects of crisis migration. SMS has set up shelters at the transit ports of Batam and Manila to provide `welcome homes` for migrant women workers and their children.Plans are also underway for a creche to be set up for women migrants with unwanted pregnancies.
- Reintegration Livelihood Projects
The root cause of forced migration is poverty and the lack of livelihood opportunities in the country of origin. SMS provides for the returnee migrant worker with support for livelihood reintegration projects. An LLC (Living and Learning Community) center will be set up for SMS victims to operate a cafeteria, an IT training school and a cyber cafe.
- Partnership Advocacy Strategies
SMS has established strategic alliances both at local and regional levels with non governmental groups to advocate for the human and worker rights of women migrant workers. SMS has participated in the Asian Assembly of Domestic Workers held in Manila from 16th to 17th June 2007 at the Forum on Domestic Workers Issues and Concerns.
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