PCCM Newsletter Pacific Climate Change and Migration Project

Warm Pacific Greetings and welcome March 2015 Edition No.2 to the newsletter of the Pacific Climate Change and Migration (PCCM) project. The PCCM project is a three-year programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Using migration as a way to adapt to climate change impacts, the projects’ key goal is to strengthen Pacific Countries (PIC)’s capacity to address the impacts of climate change on migration. New Research on Climate Change and Tuvalu. Born in , the Rt. Migration Launched rates in the Pacific mean that Hon. Paeniu later many of these ‘hot-spots’ have rapidly migrated to Tuvalu, Do you want to know how climate increasing populations. The demand where he would change will likely impact migration in for migration options will, of course, eventually serve the context of the region’s social, envi- increase because of climate change. three terms in ronmental and economic landscape? Estimates highlighted in the publi- The Right Honourable office as Prime If you do then the PCCM cation show that while the current Bikenibeu Paeniu, PCCM National Programme Officer, Minister and later number of Pacific people living on Tuvalu] as Minister for atolls is less than 200,000 this number Finance, Planning is expect to rise to 350,000 by 2050. and Industries. No stranger to the sus- During this same time, the IPCC tainable development and environ- predicts that sea-level rise could be mental spheres, Rt. Hon. Paeniu has as much as 0.3 metres. Increased salt over 10 years of freelance experience water intrusion, reduced land availa- in these areas and has, over the past bility and high king tides, coupled with 25 years, been at the forefront of the rising populations will greatly increase global debate on climate change effec- the demand for migration. tively championing climate change The publication discusses how labour issues at the UN General Assembly and publication on ‘Climate change and migration could act as a ‘release valve’ at other high-level fora. Speaking at migration issues in the Pacific’ isa for population and environmental the Second World Conference on good place to start. Launched during pressure, increasing the long term sus- Climate Change (Geneva) in 1990 and the Climate Change and Disasters Part- tainability of communities. For more again at the Rio Summit in 1992, the nership dialogue at the UN Third Inter- information download the publica- Rt. Hon. Paeniu brought world national Conference on Small Islands tion at www.unescap.org/resources/ attention to the impact of climate Developing States (SIDS) in Samoa last climate-change-and-migration-issues- change in Tuvalu and other low-lying September, the publication describes pacific. atoll nations. He is a well-respected five ‘hot-spots’ where populations will son of the Pacific, an advocate for sus- likely experience increased demand Strengthened support for PCCM tainable development in the region for migration: urban areas; urban The former Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and is a welcome addition to the PCCM atolls; non­urban atolls; coastal, delta the Right Honourable Bikenibeu and river communities; and communi- Paeniu, has joined the PCCM project team! Email: [email protected] ties prone to drought. The high fertility as the National Programme Officer for

PCCM NEWSLETTER 1 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT Migration Partnerships

PCCM staff participated in the ‘Migra- • Climate change adaptation meas- additional tion Partnerships for the Sustainable ures which create increased resil- • income from remittances; and Development of SIDS’ event which ience so that people can stay in • Ensuring the protection of people took place in Samoa during the UN their current location for as long that will be forced to relocate or SIDS conference last September. At as possible; displaced due to climate change. this event, PCCM took the opportu- • Migration as an adaptation strategy Focussing mainly on the second coping nity of outlining its position in relation which provides opportunities for mechanism, the PCCM project aims to the three migration-related climate some people to move and others to improve voluntary migration as a change coping mechanisms, namely; to stay and which also provides means of climate change adaptation. Better Data, Better Policy Making

Participants at Statistics Workshop in Nadi. The lack of data collection and analysis country, there is much less emphasis and National Statistics Offices) and on migration is a major obstacle to on recording the details of those who employer’s representatives. effective policy makingSub regional in the technicalPacific, leave, workshop including thoseon work departing statistics as(19th A Practical ICLS Resolution) Guide on Statistics on particularly in relation toand international labour migration labour migrants. statisticsSecretariat for of the the Pacific Paci c IslandsInternational Countries (PICs) Labour Migration for labour migration. While some data To help in the collectionCommunity and analysis Pacific Island Countries will be published is collectedSub throughregional censuses technical and workshop of labour on migration work statistics statistics, (19th the PCCMICLS later Resolution) in 2015. The and PCCM labour is also working household surveys, the datamigration is not always statistics Project facilitatedfor the Pacific a two-day Islands workshop Countries with stakeholders (PICs) in Kiribati, Tuvalu and analysed or communicated to policy in NadiTanoa where International statistics Hotel, Nadi, experts from Nauru to build the capacity of statistics makers. Similarly, while international the ILO, 28th UNESCAP July – 1stand August the Secretariat 2014 of organizations to collect and analyse departure and arrivals cards are often the Pacific Community (SPC) provided data on migration. used by statistical offices to obtain the training for PIC government officials numbers of international visitors to a (Ministry/Department of Labour

Sound Bite PCCM spoke to ABC Radio about how climate change may contribute to a range of factors influencing Pacific Islanders’ decision to migrate. Of key importance was increasing access to well-managed migration schemes for Pacific Islanders, as a way of adapting to the devastating effects of climate change. www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/climate-change-adds-to-labour-migra- tion/1358792

PCCM NEWSLETTER 2 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT Can Labour Migration Promote Climate Change Resilience? The link between climate change businesses’. Around 160 workers now people supplying bricks to hardware and labour migration is not always participate in the scheme every year, shops, hotels and churches. clear. How does labour migration with the support and guidance of the Pualele and other seasonal workers promote climate change resilience village chiefs (matai). But how does contribute a small portion of their of communities in a concrete way? this relate to climate change or coping savings to the community through with natural disasters? the Poutasi Development Trust Seasonal workers from the Samoan which assists people struggling in the town of Poutasi provide one such Take the story of Pualele Fui Pa’ia’aua, community. example. Workers from this village who first went to in 2008. Whilst the opportunity to migrate have been participating in New ‘When I went in 2008 I earned about has not been able to prevent disaster Zealand’s seasonal worker program for $NZ10,000 and decided to buy a taxi.” striking, it has enabled workers like over five years, enabling them to save However, tragedy hit when a tsunami Pualele to generate a source of income money for their families and to start engulfed Samoa, dragging Pualele’s car small businesses in the community. out to sea. for their family and community. “Just about everybody who’s been in ‘I knew that after the tsunami many Leading Universities Team Up the [New Zealand’s seasonal worker houses would be rebuilt and although with Us! I didn’t know how to do the work, I program], at least here in Poutasi, We are excited to announce that the found one young man who started has done something useful [with their University of the South Pacific (USP) teaching me how to make bricks’, savings],” said the village Chief Tuata- and the United Nations University he said. By buying 50 bags of cement galoa Annandale in a recent (UNU) are collaborating with the PCCM and other equipment, Pualele was project. Starting in February 2015 PCCM began conducting extensive community surveys on people’s attitudes toward climate change and migration in Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu. The results of these surveys will help governments identify policy interven- tions for improving the management of issues related to climate change and migration. UNU brings to the project a wealth of global experience in climate change and migration policy analysis. The USP is the regional academic leader in climate change research and will support the project through its network of in-country offices. The able to use what savings he had left interview. ‘They’ve either repaired results of the surveys will be published to start a small business. He now runs homes, extended homes, a lot of them later this year. a thriving business which employs 12 have bought cars. Some have started

Gender, Climate Change and Migration Research suggests that women are (New Zealand) or points systems (New Tuvalu and Kiribati, there are no female disproportionately affected by climate Zealand and ). Although there migrants. In the past, i-Kiribati women change – whether because of a lack of is limited data analysis of permanent found work on international cruise livelihood opportunities, or heightened migration from Pacific Island countries, liners but this work dried up when vulnerability in cases of natural disaster. temporary migration is clearly male cruise ship owners sourced cheaper Although migration can be one way dominated. Amongst the seasonal labour from elsewhere. of mitigating these disadvantages, worker programs, women currently many women find it difficult to secure comprise just 14 percent. There were overseas employment. six times as many men as women Most countries have only limited recruited during the year 2012/13, pathways for legal immigration – with some countries sending just 3 temporary opportunities for skilled (and percent of female workers. In the sea- sometimes unskilled) labour migrants, faring sector, which has traditionally or permanent migration through employed the largest proportion of family reunification, quota systems international labour migrants from PCCM NEWSLETTER 3 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT leaving the country (emigrants) and those coming into the country (immigrants). The gender imbal- ance in migration op- portunities means than many women and families are left behind when men migrate. Many en migrate with the in- tention of providing income for their fami- lies. However, there is some evidence that women and children who are left behind sometimes experience higher vulnerability to abuse and economic disempowerment. International labour There is also a question of whether without being provided with adequate migration needs to be seen from a female migrants can be adequately information about risks and gender perspective – women migrants protected. Migration opportunities precautions. Further, their vulnerability experience different challenges, and traditionally open to women, such is heightened by the lack of domestic women non-migrants whose hus- as home care, domestic work and legal mechanisms recognizing or bands travel abroad are also affected hospitality, often lack a legislative protecting their rights. Consequently, differently to their male counterparts. protective framework. they are often excluded from health Policy frameworks need to ensure that According to the Report of the Special insurance and other important social women’s needs (particularly those Rapporteur on the Human Rights of and labour protections.” who are economically or environmen- Migrants: “Female migrant workers The review of legislation in the Pacific tally vulnerable) are explicitly ana- engaged in domestic services are conducted under the PCCM Project lysed, rather than relying on the expe- one of the most vulnerable groups revealed gaps in the legislation of rience of male migrants as the typical of migrant workers. They are often many Pacific Island countries with migration scenario. exposed to health and safety threats regards to the protection of migrants

Kiribati President Tong on the Importance of Labour Migration The Third UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference in Apia brought over 2,000 delegates from across small island developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, as well as a multitude of other countries to discuss important issues facing the SIDS. One of the issues that was brought to the fore through a side event featuring President Anote Tong President Tong speaking in Samoa on the importance of labour migration of Kiribati, was the

PCCM NEWSLETTER 4 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT importance of labour migration to the lives of many people in this small country. Sharing the floor with a high-level panel of speakers including the ILO Deputy Director General, a Senior Economist of the World Bank and a representative of the Australian Government, President Tong called on both PIC’s and Pacific Rim countries to develop policies to encourage and expand well-regulated labour migration. Kiribati, one of the target countries under the PCCM, is only able to provide employment opportunities to a small portion of its young people, meaning that unemployment and underemployment are ever-present issues in the country. Even before seasonal worker programs, temporary migration through seafaring was an important means of Siapo: the last original settler from Tuvalu employment and source of remittances. However whilst at one time up to 2000 i-Kiribati men were employed in the Presently, the total resident population is around 400 but seafaring industry, that number has been reduced by three- this can swell to over 1,000 during the festive season. Whilst quarters. The take-up of seasonal worker positions has also still retaining the cultural heritage and traditions of Vaitupu remained low. Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru (the three PCCM there is overwhelming pride among residents of being Fijian target countries), face a multitude of barriers to national (granted in 2005). Life on is supported via subsistence employment creation, to which climate change adds yet farming with few wage-earning opportunities. Youth seek another worrying dimension. employment in surrounding hotel resorts or further afield Although participating in labour migration schemes will in and abroad. not solve all unemployment problems in Kiribati, President Tong argued that more needs to be done to provide ”When asked what advice they would give opportunities for semi-skilled and skilled temporary workers Tuvalu in terms of climate change and sea- abroad. He noted that opportunities could be expanded to sectors including construction (including the rebuilding of level rise, elders pointed across the bay and Christchurch), trades and other industries, where a pool of said: “buy land here in Vanua Levu.” trained i-Kiribati is available. Climate change is very much on the minds of Kioans, not PCCM Looks At Tuvaluan Migration only on how it may affect their island but also on how it will affect Vaitupu and Tuvalu. Based on interviews conducted to Fiji by the project in December 2014, the community appears In 1947, the Vaitupu community of Tuvalu bought the small ready to accept further settlers from Vaitupu should the island of Kioa at public auction and started a relocation need arise. However, immediate concerns of the Kioans programme the following year. Although only 25sqKM in are to increase their own population numbers, currently in size, Kioa has roughly the same land mass as the whole of decline because of out migration. When asked what advice Tuvalu with the added benefits of rich volcanic soil, timber, they would give Tuvalu in terms of climate change and sea- an artesian water source and a mountainous interior. Of the level rise, elders pointed across the bay and said: “buy land original 38 Tuvaluan settlers - only one remains, a 90 year here in Vanua Levu”. old lady named Siapo.

PCCM survey team with Kioa elders Looking across the bay to Vanua Levu from Kioa

PCCM NEWSLETTER 5 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT New Resource on Labour Migration Legislation

Despite the importance of migration in the development landscape, little is known about how Pacific island countries regulate migration into and out of their respective countries. To support knowledge building in this important field, the PCCM has published a Compendium of Labour Migration Legislation and Institutional Arrangements for Pacific Island Countries. Speakers at the launch of the publication included the acting head of the UN Office for the Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union Ambassador for the Pacific, the USP, the World Bank, ESCAP and the ILO. Discussion focused on the importance of labour migration legislation in facilitating migration, while at the same time protecting workers’ rights. The Compendium serves as a valuable resource from which to analyse gaps and areas for reform face of the likely impacts of climate change on the livelihoods in legislation. of Pacific people,” said the European Union’s Ambassador Promoting voluntary migration within and outside the for the Pacific, Mr. Andrew Jacobs. “Labour migration is an Pacific region can form a positive strategy for dealing with important adaptation strategy for Pacific Islanders – challenges such as environmental degradation and climate reducing strain on local resources, diversifying a household’s change. income and providing skills and training opportunities.” “Migration is not only a last resort coping mechanism to The Compendium is available online: climate change, but can also be a valuable strategy in the www.unescap.org/resources/compendium-legislation- and-institutional-arrangements-labour-migration-pacific- island Climate Change, Migration and Civil Society Organizations PCCM participated in the workshop in Fiji on Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility which looked at the key role of Civil Society Organisations working with communities to develop people-centred approaches toward climate change and migration. The event highlighted that internal migration and access to land are intertwined. Some of the participants noted that if people from other countries in the region are to consider moving to Fiji, the lessons learned from the migration to Kioa and Rabi should be considered to improve future migration outcomes.

Climate Change and PCCM Contact Details: Migration Issues in ESCAP Pacific tOfficehe Pacific ILO Kadavu House, Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji FNPF Building, Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji Mr Malcolm Ponton Ms Sophia Kagan Tel: (+679) 3237707 Tel: (+679) 3313866 Email Address:[email protected] Email Address: [email protected]

PCCM - National Programme Officer (Tuvalu) Website Address: www.unescap.org/subregional- Rt. Hon. Bikenibeu Paeniu office/pacific/pacific-climate-change-and-migration Government Building, Funafuti, Tuvalu project Email Address: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/PacificCCM

PCCM NEWSLETTER 6 PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION PROJECT