Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

The Secretary of the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers, Hans Leo Cacdac, has visited a shelter for expatriate workers in Kuwait and praised the care and support offered to female migrants staying there. The visit took place on Saturday at the shelter located in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. During the visit, Cacdac was welcomed by Rabab Al-Ossaimi, the acting head of Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower. She explained the legal, social, and rehabilitation services provided to women housed at the centre, many of whom are domestic workers facing difficulties with their employers. The shelter was established in 2010 and has since supported…

Plans are underway for a new Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow that could cost UK taxpayers as much as £1 billion over ten years. The centre is expected to operate from 2028 to 2038 and would have space for around 1,000 detainees, according to details published by the Home Office. Reports say about 900 people held at the centre would have access to NHS healthcare, welfare services, and educational activities such as art lessons and maths support. Leisure options like films and table tennis are also expected to be available, which has triggered strong public and political criticism over spending…

The United Nations refugee agency has urged Lithuania to review and end its policy of pushing back irregular migrants at its border with Belarus, warning that the practice goes against international refugee principles and EU commitments. The call was made by Annika Sandlund, the UNHCR representative for the Nordic and Baltic countries, during an interview with local media. Sandlund said UNHCR understands concerns about migrants being used as political tools by states, but stressed that people caught in such situations are still victims. According to her, many migrants face exploitation by smugglers and criminal networks, and should not be treated…

Indonesia has called on the global community to strengthen cooperation in protecting migrant workers, stressing that shared responsibility is key to ensuring their safety, rights, and dignity worldwide. The call was made during a constructive dialogue between Indonesia and the United Nations Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Their Families held in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 2 to 3, 2025. The meeting formed part of Indonesia’s regular reporting on its commitment to migrant worker rights. Speaking during the session, Harniati, Acting Director General of Human Rights Instruments and Strengthening at the Indonesian Ministry of Human…

The United States government has reduced the validity of work permits for certain categories of migrants from five years to just 18 months, citing concerns around national security, public safety, and increased monitoring of immigration processes. The announcement was made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which said the change is meant to strengthen oversight of non-citizens working legally in the country. According to officials, the new policy is aimed at preventing potential threats and limiting what they describe as anti-American activities. The policy affects a wide range of migrants, including those who have been granted asylum, individuals with…

The Odisha state government has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve protection and access to basic services for migrant workers and their families within the state. The partnership aims to make sure migrant households do not lose access to essential services such as food support, healthcare, nutrition, education, and labour welfare schemes when they move from one area of Odisha to another for work. A technical assistance agreement was signed by Odisha’s Additional Chief Secretary of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance, Chithra Arumugam, and WFP India Country Director Elisabeth Faure, in the presence of Development…

The United States government has shortened the validity of work permits for many migrants, reducing them from five years to just 18 months. The decision was announced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which said the move is aimed at strengthening national security and improving oversight of migrants living and working in the country. According to ICE, the new rule affects several groups of non-citizens. These include migrants who have already been granted asylum, those with pending asylum applications, people under stay-of-deportation or detention orders, and migrants applying to adjust their status to permanent legal residency. Officials say limiting…

Migrant caregivers in Hong Kong are being widely praised after risking their lives to save children and elderly residents during a deadly high-rise fire that shocked the city. The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in late November and quickly spread through several buildings, filling corridors with thick smoke and trapping residents inside their homes. One of the caregivers hailed for her bravery is Rhodora Alcaraz, a 28-year-old domestic worker from the Philippines who had arrived in Hong Kong just a day earlier. When the fire started, she was alone with a three-month-old baby in a…

Migration continues to grow across the world as more people move in search of safety, jobs, and a better future for their families. In recent years, thousands of people have left their home countries because of conflict, poverty, climate change, and lack of opportunities. Many migrants say they simply want a chance to work and live peacefully, but the journey is often filled with danger, exploitation, and uncertainty. This growing movement of people shows how important it is for the global community to create safer and more organised paths for migrants. Across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, more migrants…

Indonesia has taken another big step in helping its citizens find safe and legal work abroad, as the government sent 40 newly trained spa therapists to the Maldives. The deployment happened on Thursday and is part of a wider national effort to improve formal overseas job opportunities and give better protection to migrant workers. According to Minister Mukhtarudin of P2MI, the workers had just finished a full one-month training program in Bali. The training focused on spa therapy, body treatment, and general wellness services. The workers were carefully prepared so they could fit into the international spa industry, especially in…