National Catholic Commission on Migration
(NCCM)
Strategic Framework:
2021 – 2025
I. Introduction.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) is the council of the Bishops of the Thai Church. It has two main functions:
-representing the Catholic Church of Thailand locally and internationally;
-responsibility for governance of the Thai Catholic Church.
The Thai Church has eleven dioceses which are divided into two ecclesiastical Provinces. Each Province has its Metropolitan See. They are the Archdioceses of Bangkok and Tharae-Nongsaeng. The Bishops’ Conference elects its President from amongst its episcopal members.
The Bishops’ Conference established Caritas Thailand in 2007 as the umbrella organization for the development and social outreach work of the Thai Church. Caritas Thailand is an autonomous body under the Thai Bishops’ Conference, being a participating member of Caritas International.
Within Caritas Thailand, there are two Commissions – the Social-Pastoral and Social Development Commissions. Within the Social-Pastoral Commission, there are three desks:
COERR – Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees;
NCCS – National Catholic Commission for Seafarers;
NCCM – National Catholic Commission on Migration and Prisoners.
All three are under the responsibility of Bishop Joseph Pibul Visitnondachai, the Commission’s President, appointed by CBCT.
NCCM has an Executive Director, also appointed by CBCT. The Director’s role is one of overall oversight, policy and communication. Direct responsibility of management and administration is the responsibility of the Programme Director and management team.
National Catholic Commission on Migration (NCCM)
1) NCCM Background
NCCM was established in 1987 to serve the pastoral and humanitarian needs of the growing number of migrants in Thailand. NCCM’s first target group was internal migrants – those mostly Thai rural youth leaving the rural sector of the country to seek jobs in urban and industrial areas. Pastoral assistance was mainly provided through assisting with food, accommodation and job placements. Since its establishment NCCM has constantly adjusted its activities to respond to the continually changing needs and situations for migrants and their families in Thailand. Recognizing that migration starts in the sending countries, NCCM has initiated targeting these countries to create awareness amongst those planning to migrate of the real situation for migrants living in Thailand and assist those returning home. Migrant workers and their families coming to Thailand are from the poorer and more oppressed neighboring countries of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. They are a vulnerable and marginalized population within their homelands and remain so within Thailand, needing support and assistance. Targeted groups and issues within this large migrant community in Thailand have included more specifically women and children; those living with HIV/AIDS; human rights and labor rights; advocacy; prisoners; those working in the sex industry; disadvantaged youth and Thai workers working overseas.
2) Vision of NCCM
Living in a divided and wounded world, NCCM’s vision is of a world without borders in which migrants and vulnerable persons live with respect and dignity as children of God.
3) Mission of NCCM
Inspired by a gospel vision that challenges us to offer
hospitality to the unwelcome;
food to the hungry;
help to the needy;
NCCM’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and equity of migrants in Thai society.
II. Context, Challenges and Opportunities.
On 27th September, 2017, Pope Francis launched the Caritas International Global Campaign on Migration in St Peter’s Square during his weekly Wednesday general audience. This campaign has run through into 2021, finishing mid-2021. Its theme, “Share the Journey”, highlights that we and migrants are on the one journey. We are all pilgrims on the journey of life.
The origins of this campaign were based on advice from Pope Francis whose pontificate, from the very beginning, has had a strong and compassionate focus on the plight of migrants. In his early days as pope, Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, in the middle of the Mediterranean. This island had become tragically infamous as the landing place for migrants, living and dead, fleeing wars and uprisings, cruelty and poverty in Africa. Many had died in their flight and all were suffering. Pope Francis embraced them all as brothers and sisters whose blood, as he described, was crying out to us. Francis’ point was that, as the one human family, we are all responsible for each other. No person is not a part of who we are as members of the one humanity created by God.
Their cry is heard all over the world as the plight of migrants is a global plight calling for a global response. For us as Church, we stress that this plight is a human plight demanding a human response based on mercy and compassion, not on victimization and blame; demanding a human response based on justice and human dignity, not on fear and ignorance. Francis’ basic thrust in his mission of leadership has been to decry what he names as a global culture of indifference and replace it with the culture of encounter. His aim is to encourage people to meet each other face to face so that no one is a stranger and in such a way build up a world where we are all brothers and sisters, caring for each other as a true sign of God’s love for all people. As Francis would say – Build bridges, not walls. Pope Francis offers the culture of encounter as the way to fight the global social disease of indifference, to build a better world, a world where people relate with each other as persons and reach out to others in their need and vulnerability.
In introducing this campaign to the Caritas family, Cardinal Tagle, President of Caritas International, placed the challenge before us.
“Through ‘Share the Journey’ we hope to dispel fear and understand why so many people are leaving their homes at this time in history. We want to inspire communities to build relationships with refugees and migrants. We want to shine a light and lead the way. Migration is an old story but our campaign aims to help communities see it with new eyes and an open heart.”
So here is a challenge to us in Thailand where there are more than 3 million migrant workers and their families. This is a population coming from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. They come because of what they suffer back home and what is lacking there, opportunity. The migrant population in Thailand is here for work so as to earn money for their families. They are taken in as Thailand has a high demand for low‐skilled workers to fuel its economic growth.
These people have experienced different forms of fear, conflict, poverty, desperation and isolation in life. Some have come to Thailand seeking a haven and a way out of their plight. In return, Thailand graciously has offered hospitality, reflecting the challenge by Pope Francis to humanity that we be brothers and sisters, offering compassion in our world. Many have come to Thailand seeking needed opportunity and employment in life. Truth is that Thailand needs a workforce to meet its own economic and social demands. In their coming, a migrant workforce responds to this local need for workers, thus contributing to Thailand’s development and progress. In their diversity, they add to the fabric of Thai society. However temporary, Thailand becomes home for these peoples for now. Sadly, while they are here, they face ungrounded fear and negative attitudes, which serve to affect these people so unfairly and unjustly. We remember they are people like you and me, only seeking their right to a decent life for themselves and their families so that they can live with dignity.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was established on 31 December, 2015. ASEAN’s goal for AEC has been purely economic, aiming for regional economic integration through a single market and production base, allowing freer movement of goods, services, investment and skilled labor, plus a freer flow of capital. Demand for low‐ and medium‐skill labour remains and so labor migration continues, and even increases.
The Royal Thai Government’s policies towards migrants continue to change, and change without adequate information sharing. This remains a challenge for meeting migrant workers’ just needs. Although it hosts a diverse migrant population, Thailand does not have a comprehensive migration policy. Rather it maintains separate policies that pertain to different types of migration and countries of origin. Consistent in Thailand’s policies towards migrants and displaced persons is that their presence in the kingdom is “temporary”. The reality though is that many of the migrants in Thailand have stayed for long periods of time, whether documented or undocumented. Successive Thai governments maintain a stance that protects Thai culture and identity, as well as Thai economy and society. This is done to the extent that an unwelcoming environment is created for the outsider. Migrant worker population.
Agents currently play a key role in migrant communities as they are knowledgeable and stay up‐to‐date on registration processes and relevant government policies. Many agents speak both Thai and languages spoken by migrants (Burmese, Karen, etc.) and offer migrants a range of services including passport processing. On the other hand, agents can be very expensive for migrants, charging double the actual processing costs to accomplish the same service being made available by the Thai government. As such, there is a great need to streamline accurate information to migrant communities and a stronger understanding of migrant rights within an ever evolving policy environment. One could say that the situation pertaining to migrants in Thailand is ever fluid, being determined by a number of factors, both internal and external, both good and bad.
Trafficking in persons remains a concern. The situation may have improved due to government action but there is still prevalence of abuse and exploitation of humanity for cheap labour, and worse. Specific industries of concern include commercial fishing, fishing‐related industries, domestic work, factories and sex work. Mainly, migrants in Thailand have traveled willingly to seek employment, often with the assistance of relatives and community members or informal recruitment networks. Migration is a strategy for income generation and survival. Trafficking in persons constitutes a form of violence against vulnerable and at‐risk individuals, many of whom come from marginalized backgrounds in their own countries, whether socially, ethnically or economically. Many come from rural areas where income levels are low and few employment opportunities exist outside of traditional farming. Labor brokers of both Thai and foreign nationalities work as intermediaries to connect job‐seeking migrants to employers. With the help of extensive, well‐established networks that may include corrupt law enforcement officials, trafficking remains a reality. Reports of exploitation are rife with incidents of confiscated identity documents, debt bondage, abuses in the workplace, and forced labor. It is within such a context that NCCM aims to lessen the vulnerability and suffering of at‐risk migrants and prisoners in Thailand, while also acting to empower this same population.
Then along comes the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. The immediate and obvious impact has been the loss of jobs, livelihoods and income due to the closure of businesses and factories. There has been restriction of movement. The most vulnerable have suffered the greatest burden. This includes the migrant worker population. Undocumented migrants lack access to government services and support. Very real impacts are seen in rising injustices being committed, with non-payment of wages, unfair dismissals and the loss of benefits. These injustices are committed too easily against the most vulnerable. Along with all of this, the pandemic has highlighted and heightened xenophobia and discrimination. Migrant workers are outsiders, remaining marginalized in society.
A pandemic serves as an agent for highlighting the wrongs already existing in any system or society. This is so for the system in place for migration and migrant workers, where injustices suffered by migrant workers during the pandemic highlight what is already wrong. So “Build back better” has become a war cry rising out of the suffering of this pandemic. However, do not try to build back better, using the same poor foundations but aim for systemic change, for addressing root causes.
This radical approach raises challenges in working for and with migrant populations. Like a pandemic, migration is not confined within national borders. Working with migrants, like fighting a pandemic, transcends borders. It is then beneficial and good practice in migration work to focus on both the migrants’ country of origin and their host country. This is so true in this sub-region where migrants move into their neighbouring country, Thailand, in the quest of employment and income. This takes NCCM into two types of engagement, cross-border work and international cooperation.
International cooperation is defined by NCCM working with Caritas, or another party of equal standing, in the neighbouring country as an equal partner in a joint response to migration between the two countries. Cross-border work is more localised, engaging local partners in pursuing a mutual aim in responding to migration and needs of migrants. These two types for approaching migration work presently operate hand in hand within NCCM.
Migrant workers in Thailand face many challenges. NCCM is here to accompany them and uphold their dignity, through reaching out to them helping in very practical ways. Their needs, their, their fears, opportunities and challenges lead to NCCM’s choice of priorities and strategies.
So we share the journey and pray in solidarity the prayer of the Caritas International Global Campaign:
“Have mercy on me, God most high.
In my fear and loneliness, be my refuge.
Far from my homeland, I feel lost.
My heart is stirred by thoughts of the family I left behind.
O God, hear their cries and come to their help!
Calm the storms of anxiety and doubt raging within me.
Go before me and guide my steps among a people I do not know.
May their kindness and compassion assure me that You are there to welcome me.” AMEN.
What have we learnt from Covid-19 and much more? This leads to NCCM’s choice of work priorities and strategies.
III. Principles for NCCM Life and Work.
- Support and work for justice and the rights of the migrant population so as to further their equality, dignity and self-reliance in Thailand.
- Prepare and implement programs to serve migrants and prisoners.
- Develop good governance within NCCM, focusing on
-professional program planning and development;-a high level of accountability and transparency in financial management;
-efficiency and effectiveness in operation.
- Restructure NCCM, through ongoing work with COERR (Catholic Office for Emergency relief and Refugees) to develop a People on the Move Unit within Caritas Thailand. This integration allows for developing strategies for service and mission that are in line with the pastoral plan of the Thai Church and with the principles of Caritas International and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
This positively acts to build up NCCM’s management and organization, thus enhancing organizational credibility and confidence and empowering through furthering self-reliance and sustainability. - Within the context of ASEAN’s AEC (ASEAN Economic Community and through the experience of responding to a pandemic:
-advocate for good government policy development;
-further networking with government, private and civil society sectors;
-build up a strong NGO network.
IV. Strategies.
- Promote migrant rights and their equal place in society.
Simply stated, migrant rights are human rights. - Have in place programs for protecting migrants, promoting their role in society and receiving and accessing services.
- Raise awareness around issues and plight of migrant population.
- Address labor exploitation, trafficking in persons with a focus on case assistance..
- Develop NCCM database which shows our locations and work, and population helped.
- Continue and develop partnering within NGO network and civil society.
- Refer those in need to appropriate services and agencies so as to best help and not duplicate services.
- Advocate good government policy and implementation.
- Promote good ASEAN policy and partnering within AEC, with a focus on promoting NCCM work that involves both cross border and international cooperation.
- Continue evaluating and adapting of NCCM governance, structures and work practices, making changes as judged needed and possible.
V. Program Priorities.
Each priority is important and all nine priorities together are important.
1) Advocacy on the rights of migrants; child rights; labor rights.
This will take NCCM into conducting trainings and workshops on these rights’ issues and into media campaigns, using social media and internet services.
2) Awareness raising around migrant workers and their issues.
This work will aim to be relevant and contemporary, taking into account the signs of the times. In work on this, NCCM researches the issues and needs arising for migrant workers and their families so as to better help target communities.
3) Networking.
NCCM will collaborate with local and central Thai Government departments, NGOs, the Catholic Church in Thailand and Buddhist monks with the aim of strengthening both community leadership and volunteers for the sake of creating sustainable communities.
NCCM will further its networking in migrant and labor rights fields within Church and with NGOs, GOs and CBOs. AEC is a regional instrument of ASEAN with which NCCM seeks to network with, due to the nature of both NCCM cross border work and work in international cooperation.
4) Direct Services – one on one work.
NCCM focus is on helping our target population of migrants and prisoners to access services and their rights. In pursuit of this endeavor, NCCM will work with local government authorities. NCCM focus for action will include conducting trainings and providing counselling and pastoral care for the target population, along with case referrals as appropriate. Partnering with human rights and community advocates will be pursued to best further this work.
5) Community empowerment.
NCCM will continue building up its community volunteer base and the migrant worker community itself for the sake of both effectiveness and sustainability in its work. This is about empowering the migrant community base so that migrants can build up solidarity and act more for themselves. In its efforts, NCCM will be mindful of the rights of volunteers and work with them in ways that respect their integrity and dignity.
6) Education.
NCCM’s focus population is adult migrant workers and their children, NCCM work focus will be offering adult education, teacher training and supporting migrant learning centres. This will be achieved through partnerships in the community aimed at offering education to the target population. A successful model continues to be the mobile education unit.
7) Health.
NCCM’s focus population is migrant workers and their children. NCCM’s work focus will be trainings, counselling and health care access for the population. In its work on health, NCCM is ever mindful of the following populations and health needs:
-PLWAs; sexual and reproductive health; personal hygiene and nutrition; child and adolescent health; mental health.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a huge learning curve from which NCCM aims to learn. It also serves as the base for change in NCCM focus, direction and implementation into the future. –
8) Vocational training.
NCCM will focus on skill training, job placement and training, promotion its services and its clientele within the labor market.
9) Trafficking in Persons.
With a focus on those most vulnerable – women and children, this will involve NCCM in participating in and offering trainings in anti-human trafficking processes and protocols. Efforts will be undertaken in reintegration for victims of human trafficking and funding of livelihood projects in vulnerable communities.
In all its work, NCCM is committed to maintaining its focus on its target population and its work to help this population.
Appendix
As an arm of the Roman Catholic Church in Thailand, these Twenty Action Points from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development give NCCM invaluable and overall direction in its work and mission.
To Welcome: Enhancing Safe and Legal Pathways for Migrants.
- Encourage states to ban arbitrary and collective expulsion, thus respecting the principle of non-refoulement.
- Encourage states and all actors involved to expand the number and range of alternative legal pathways for safe and voluntary migration.
- Encourage states to adopt a national security perspective that fully takes into account the security and human rights of all migrants.
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To Protect: Ensuring Migrants’ Rights and Dignity. - Encourage states with significant labour migrant outflows to adopt policies and practices which provide protections for citizens choosing to emigrate.
- Encourage states with significant labour migrant inflows to adopt national policies which protect against exploitation, forced labour or trafficking.
- Encourage states to adopt policies which enable migrants to make the best use of their skills and capacities so as to better contribute to their own and their communities’ well-being.
- Encourage states to comply with their obligations under the Convention of the Rights of the Child in addressing the vulnerable situation of unaccompanied children or minors separated from their family.
- Encourage states to comply with their obligations under the Convention of the Rights of the Child when dealing with all migrant minors.
- Encourage states to adopt policies to provide all migrant learners equal access to education.
- Encourage states to adopt legislation to provide migrants access to adequate social protections.
- Encourage states to enact legislation to prevent migrants from becoming stateless.
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To Promote: Advancing Migrants’ Integral Human Development. - Encourage states to enact legislation that enables the recognition, transfer and further development of the formal skills of all migrants residing in the host country.
- Encourage states to adopt laws, policies and practices facilitating local integration of migrants.
- Encourage states to adopt policies and practices which promote and preserve the integrity and well-being of the family regardless of migratory status.
- Encourage states to adopt policies and practices that provide migrants with special needs or vulnerabilities with the same opportunities as other disabled citizens.
- Encourage the international community to increase its share of development and emergency assistance to states which host and support large influxes of migrants fleeing armed conflict so all may benefit regardless of migratory status.
- Encourage states to adopt policies and practices that guarantee the freedom of religion to all migrants regardless of their migratory status.
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To Integrate: Enriching Communities through Wider Participation of Migrants. - On the basis that integration is neither assimilation nor incorporation, but a two-way process, which is essentially rooted in the joint recognition of the other’s cultural richness, encourage states to enact legislation which facilitates local integration.
- Encourage states to adopt policies and programmes which actively promote a positive narrative on migrants and solidarity towards them.
- When foreign nationals are forced to flee from violence or environmental crisis in the host country and are eligible for voluntary repatriation or evacuation programmes, the host state, donor states or the state of origin be encouraged to adopt policies and procedures which facilitate the reintegration of returnees.
Approved by NCCM Staff at Meeting on 2021.