Media Urged to Focus Reportage on Experiences of Migrant Women

Journalist across the world have been enjoined to focus reportage on human angle stories that educate, create awareness, proffer solutions and change perspective on experiences of women migrants.

The call was made by the Services Director, Women’s Aids Organisation, WAO, Charlene Murray at the Asian- Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development,AIBD / International Labour Organization, ILO National Seminar on Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Reporting on Issues Related to Women Migrant Workers, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The seminar was organized to enlighten the media on the importance of reporting about the experiences and possible outcomes of migrant workplace/ force labour, abuse, discrimination and solutions.

Ms. Murray urged the media to focus their stories on human angle and report the situation of things faced by migrant women in their reportage which would influence the importance, create awareness, educate, and change perceptions.

“The way the media chooses to report can really change the landscape of attitudes. The media is a powerful tool especially in this day and age of the pandemic. The media is capable of doing more than just reporting. They are capable of educating the public, changing perceptions as well as creating better awareness,” she said.

Field Organizer, International Domestic Workers Federation, Ms. Bariyah Iyah, said that migrant domestic workers faced harsher conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions, discrimination, lack of health coverage and loss of jobs.

She called on the media to look into cases involving domestic migrant workers and forced labour practices to help in combating the challenges migrant women face.

Ambassador and of Head EU Delegation to Malaysia, Mr. Michalies Rokas said the media plays a critical role in giving voice and insight to the realities and struggles faced by women migrants.

“migrants are always the first targets of xenophobic commends and backlash. This phenomenon was documented by journalist in the region and around the world. Furthermore, during those lock downs we saw we have regrettably experienced increased rates of gender-based violence. This has been the case particularly for domestic workers. In such context, the Importance of media cannot be an understatement,” he said.

Proper Work-Place Code of Conduct

The Manager, Supply Chain Innovation, Fair Labour Association, Mr. Hairudin Masnin said that proper work-place code of conduct when enacted and enforced could curb discrimination, harassment, child and forced labour.

He stated that proper work-place laws could enforce proper work-place environment, freedom of association, health safety and compensation.

“The last but not the least is compensation. We are not talking about minimum basic salaries, but we also talk about live-in wages. Whether the hundred and twenty ringgit that the worker gets every month is enough for him or her to sustain his live-in cost,” he said.

Mr. Masnin noted that the FLA standards which aligns with that of the International Labour Organization, ILO standards insist on favorable working conditions and hours.

“we are advocating for EPP wages, employers pay principle, or zero recruitment cost for all employers,” he said.

An Independent Human Rights Advocate in Malaysia, Ms. Elise Arya Chen called on media practitioners to humanize refugees more by giving a voice to their struggles, highlighting the systemic issues affecting refugees.

On the issue of gender, she called for an additional attention into the struggle of women refugees comparted on the different identities.

Confidence Okwuchi