Analysis of Civil Society Organisations’ thematical representation at the ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AMFL): A Disability Lens

Abstract

The development and migration nexus has expanded and been built from the foundations of a human rights framework. This fusion has significant implications within ASEAN, which is positioned to increase economic integration, triggering a transformation into a labour migration hub. Meaningful participation of all stakeholders becomes a necessity to fulfil the notion of inclusive development under a human rights paradigm. However, persons with disabilities and their representation are often only mentioned as an afterthought. This secondary research accompanied by a qualitative interview investigates how persons with disabilities are represented at Civil Society level and how recommendations in the AMFL interpret disability. Unfortunately, the findings suggest persons with disabilities do not have meaningful representation and when disability was mentioned it followed a medical or charity model narrative. This narrative normally took the form of an occupational safety or health services issue offering protection from disease or injury to prevent ‘suffering’ which should be covered by disability and medical insurance.