18 December 2008
The Chairperson of the Committee on Migrant Workers, Abdelhamid El Jamri, and the special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante, issued the following statement today, on the occasion of International Migrants Day 2008 (18 December):
“Over the last number of years, the international community has paid much attention to the economic dimension of migration and to the links between migration and development, but it has paid much less attention to other aspects of migration, such as the rights of the migrant workers and members of their families.
Today, as we celebrate International Migrants Day 2008, we would like to draw your attention to the many children whose lives are affected by migration. Read more
Sunday, 21 December 2008
French detention centre highlights mistreatment of migrants
8 December 2008
Men, women, children and infants are piled on mats in overcrowded cells. Food is strewn all over the kitchen and the toilets are overflowing. Children dig in rubbish bins. Yellow biohazard bags are piled high just outside the door, suggesting serious medical issues and there's no sign of proper medical facilities. Conditions in the centre amount to inhuman and degrading treatment.
This is what can be seen in photographs and video footage sent anonymously to one French media outlet and to Amnesty International that highlights mistreatment of irregular migrants in a European Union country as the EU's political bodies allow longer detention of migrants. Read more
Men, women, children and infants are piled on mats in overcrowded cells. Food is strewn all over the kitchen and the toilets are overflowing. Children dig in rubbish bins. Yellow biohazard bags are piled high just outside the door, suggesting serious medical issues and there's no sign of proper medical facilities. Conditions in the centre amount to inhuman and degrading treatment.
This is what can be seen in photographs and video footage sent anonymously to one French media outlet and to Amnesty International that highlights mistreatment of irregular migrants in a European Union country as the EU's political bodies allow longer detention of migrants. Read more
Germany named Europe's top migrant destination
ublished: 2 Dec 08 14:53 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20081202-15857.html
Germany has been named Europe’s principal country of destination for migrants, according to the World Migration Report (WMR) 2008 released on Tuesday.
* Steinmeier tells ships worried about pirates to fly German flag - National (21 Dec 08)
* Madman bites off woman's nose - Society (21 Dec 08)
* German official moots accepting Guantánamo inmates - National (20 Dec 08)
As host to 10.1 million migrants in 2005, Germany was well ahead of the other top countries in the study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on how globalisation is effecting human movement. France came in second with 6.5 million migrants, the United Kingdom had 5.4 million, Spain had 4.8 million, and Italy 2.5 million.
The ten countries reviewed in Europe all showed positive rates of growth in number of migrants from 2000 to 2005, but Spain and Italy recorded a stunning increase of 194.2 percent and 54.1 per cent respectively. Western and Central Europe hosted a total of 44.1 million migrants in 2005, many of whom came from neighbouring countries. That accounted for some 85 percent of the region’s population growth. Migrants make up an average of 15 percent of the population in Western European countries. Read more
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20081202-15857.html
Germany has been named Europe’s principal country of destination for migrants, according to the World Migration Report (WMR) 2008 released on Tuesday.
* Steinmeier tells ships worried about pirates to fly German flag - National (21 Dec 08)
* Madman bites off woman's nose - Society (21 Dec 08)
* German official moots accepting Guantánamo inmates - National (20 Dec 08)
As host to 10.1 million migrants in 2005, Germany was well ahead of the other top countries in the study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on how globalisation is effecting human movement. France came in second with 6.5 million migrants, the United Kingdom had 5.4 million, Spain had 4.8 million, and Italy 2.5 million.
The ten countries reviewed in Europe all showed positive rates of growth in number of migrants from 2000 to 2005, but Spain and Italy recorded a stunning increase of 194.2 percent and 54.1 per cent respectively. Western and Central Europe hosted a total of 44.1 million migrants in 2005, many of whom came from neighbouring countries. That accounted for some 85 percent of the region’s population growth. Migrants make up an average of 15 percent of the population in Western European countries. Read more
Italy migrants' state 'appalling'
The working conditions of many poor African migrants in rural areas of southern Italy are "appalling", the international medical charity MSF says.
The charity, which calls the workforce an invisible and vulnerable army, says migrants live in dilapidated buildings, with no electricity or running water.
Thousands of Africans, many of them without papers, seek jobs as fruit pickers in the Calabria region.
MSF says they are paid about 20 euros (£19; $29) for 12 hours' work daily.
"They live in disused houses, hangars or abandoned factories, with no running water, electricity or heat, often surrounded by rubbish that attracts rats and packs of stray dogs," said Antonio Virgilio, MSF's head of mission in Calabria. Read more
The charity, which calls the workforce an invisible and vulnerable army, says migrants live in dilapidated buildings, with no electricity or running water.
Thousands of Africans, many of them without papers, seek jobs as fruit pickers in the Calabria region.
MSF says they are paid about 20 euros (£19; $29) for 12 hours' work daily.
"They live in disused houses, hangars or abandoned factories, with no running water, electricity or heat, often surrounded by rubbish that attracts rats and packs of stray dogs," said Antonio Virgilio, MSF's head of mission in Calabria. Read more
International Migrants Day calls for change
aturday, December 20th 2008, 2:10 PM
'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the world International Migrants Day was commemorated on Dec. 18. But, here in New York City, where nearly 40% of the population is foreign-born, the date came and went practically unnoticed.
The United Nations General Assembly established International Migrants Day in 2000 to acknowledge the increasing numbers of migrants around the world and to recognize their economic, social and cultural contributions.
"We commemorate International Migrants Day this year while marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with its visionary commitment to dignity and justice for everyone, everywhere, always," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said last week. Read more
'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the world International Migrants Day was commemorated on Dec. 18. But, here in New York City, where nearly 40% of the population is foreign-born, the date came and went practically unnoticed.
The United Nations General Assembly established International Migrants Day in 2000 to acknowledge the increasing numbers of migrants around the world and to recognize their economic, social and cultural contributions.
"We commemorate International Migrants Day this year while marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with its visionary commitment to dignity and justice for everyone, everywhere, always," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said last week. Read more
Holiday traditions not forgotten by immigrants in diverse Southwest Florida
By ELYSA BATISTA (Contact)
Originally published 8:01 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008
Updated 8:01 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008
NAPLES — Just like their native-born counterparts, immigrant communities also feast on the spirit of the holiday season.
Holiday traditions from native lands aren’t forgotten. Instead, over the years, many traditions have been adapted or slightly adjusted to the new surroundings.
For Lee County attorney Miguel C. Fernández III, 46, the traditions of his native Cuba have evolved since his family moved to New Jersey 41 years ago. Read more
Originally published 8:01 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008
Updated 8:01 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008
NAPLES — Just like their native-born counterparts, immigrant communities also feast on the spirit of the holiday season.
Holiday traditions from native lands aren’t forgotten. Instead, over the years, many traditions have been adapted or slightly adjusted to the new surroundings.
For Lee County attorney Miguel C. Fernández III, 46, the traditions of his native Cuba have evolved since his family moved to New Jersey 41 years ago. Read more
IRELAND: Migrants earning as little as €2 an hour
By Anne-Marie Walsh Industry Correspondent
Wednesday December 17 2008
MORE than half of migrants who work in restaurants earn less than the minimum wage and the majority get no overtime or Sunday pay.
A new report has revealed that some workers earn just €2 an hour and some work up to 75 hours a week.
The Migrant Rights Centre last night said the study showed some of the worst abuses of employment rights.
It called on the government to take immediate action to end exploitation in the industry. Read more
Wednesday December 17 2008
MORE than half of migrants who work in restaurants earn less than the minimum wage and the majority get no overtime or Sunday pay.
A new report has revealed that some workers earn just €2 an hour and some work up to 75 hours a week.
The Migrant Rights Centre last night said the study showed some of the worst abuses of employment rights.
It called on the government to take immediate action to end exploitation in the industry. Read more
Polish migrant workers feel the chill
Polish workers now quitting the recession-blighted UK will tuck into their festive dish of carp this Christmas safe from the censure of Britons, who prefer turkey. In Poland, carp are food, especially at Christmas. But in Bedford, Poles who caught and killed the delicacy were branded “barbarians” by the local newspaper, according to Urszula Jukes, director of Access Europe, a local recruitment business.
Polski hydraulik/AFP
Mrs Jukes, 35, blames the media for a broader deterioration in the never very cordial welcome the UK has extended to its 800,000 Polish migrant workers, 9,000 of whom live in this comfortable market town. “They wrote that Poles were only here to claim benefits, which was untrue,” says Mrs Jukes.
When the UK opened its borders to European Union accession countries in 2004, the strong economy lured an influx of eastern European job seekers. “How dare they come over here, doing work Britons do not want for less money than Britons would demand,” was the refrain of comedians parodying a reaction of mingled xenophobia and gratitude. But now Poles are at the bleeding edge of the downturn, concentrated in badly hit sectors such as construction, often as vulnerable subcontractors and agency workers. A reverse migration has begun. Read more
Polski hydraulik/AFP
Mrs Jukes, 35, blames the media for a broader deterioration in the never very cordial welcome the UK has extended to its 800,000 Polish migrant workers, 9,000 of whom live in this comfortable market town. “They wrote that Poles were only here to claim benefits, which was untrue,” says Mrs Jukes.
When the UK opened its borders to European Union accession countries in 2004, the strong economy lured an influx of eastern European job seekers. “How dare they come over here, doing work Britons do not want for less money than Britons would demand,” was the refrain of comedians parodying a reaction of mingled xenophobia and gratitude. But now Poles are at the bleeding edge of the downturn, concentrated in badly hit sectors such as construction, often as vulnerable subcontractors and agency workers. A reverse migration has begun. Read more
Christmas Looks Grim For Jobless Migrants In Spain
Madrid - For Maria G., a 40-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant in Madrid, it is a grim Christmas ahead.
"Since my husband lost his construction job six months ago, we have only relied on my earnings," says the bakery employee and housemaid, one among hundreds of thousands of immigrants to have been hit hard by Spain's deepening economic crisis.
"We could not even dream of giving each other presents this Christmas," Maria sighs, explaining that she always sends more than half of her monthly income of about 1,000 euros (1,400 dollars) to her children and other relatives back in Latin America.
"We will have just one Christmas meal with friends, each of us contributing one dish," Maria explains. "Maybe pork, and some sweets. That will strictly be it." Read more
"Since my husband lost his construction job six months ago, we have only relied on my earnings," says the bakery employee and housemaid, one among hundreds of thousands of immigrants to have been hit hard by Spain's deepening economic crisis.
"We could not even dream of giving each other presents this Christmas," Maria sighs, explaining that she always sends more than half of her monthly income of about 1,000 euros (1,400 dollars) to her children and other relatives back in Latin America.
"We will have just one Christmas meal with friends, each of us contributing one dish," Maria explains. "Maybe pork, and some sweets. That will strictly be it." Read more
JAMAICA: Tough times at Christmas
Merchants report downturn in holiday sales
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Sunday Observer senior reporter thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, December 21, 2008
THE weekend before Christmas is usually one of the busiest shopping periods of the year but from the looks of things in some shopping districts in Kingston and St Catherine yesterday, merchants will not reap the same level of sales they did in years past.
"If last year was 100 per cent, this year is 80 per cent," Robert George of Royale Jewellers said of yesterday's volume of traffic in his store and the sales that came with it. The sales he did make, he said, were more for jewellery and watches than for small appliances, which the store also stocks. Read more
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Sunday Observer senior reporter thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, December 21, 2008
THE weekend before Christmas is usually one of the busiest shopping periods of the year but from the looks of things in some shopping districts in Kingston and St Catherine yesterday, merchants will not reap the same level of sales they did in years past.
"If last year was 100 per cent, this year is 80 per cent," Robert George of Royale Jewellers said of yesterday's volume of traffic in his store and the sales that came with it. The sales he did make, he said, were more for jewellery and watches than for small appliances, which the store also stocks. Read more
JORDAN: Economist: Global crisis positively impacts Jordan
December 20, 2008 2:45 am by pna
AMMAN, Dec. 19 — The global financial crisis is expected to have a positive impact on Jordan's economy as an increase may been seen in inward flow of remittances and investments, local daily The Jordan Times Friday quoted a leading economist as saying.
Jordanian expatriates' consumption behavior, especially in the Gulf states, where the majority of remittances come from, is likely to change in light of the crisis, which means more savings, Consulting Group (EnConsult) CEO Yusuf Mansur said on Thursday.
Interest rate in Jordanian banks is still higher than that in the banks in Dubai, for example, which will encourage to deposit the money in Jordanian banks, added Mansur.
According to the government, workers' remittances to Jordan during the January-August period of this year exceeded 3 billion dollars. Read more
AMMAN, Dec. 19 — The global financial crisis is expected to have a positive impact on Jordan's economy as an increase may been seen in inward flow of remittances and investments, local daily The Jordan Times Friday quoted a leading economist as saying.
Jordanian expatriates' consumption behavior, especially in the Gulf states, where the majority of remittances come from, is likely to change in light of the crisis, which means more savings, Consulting Group (EnConsult) CEO Yusuf Mansur said on Thursday.
Interest rate in Jordanian banks is still higher than that in the banks in Dubai, for example, which will encourage to deposit the money in Jordanian banks, added Mansur.
According to the government, workers' remittances to Jordan during the January-August period of this year exceeded 3 billion dollars. Read more
Spanish Remittances Fall
BY JAN SMITH
AND LUIS SOLER
Latin American remittances from Spain will decrease by 10 percent by the end of the first quarter of 2009
Remittances are a basic mechanism for the development of recipient countries, but it is vulnerable to economic downturns. In the wake of the economic slowdown, remittances sent by immigrants living in Spain have gradually fallen off in recent months. This is the logical effect associated with higher rates of unemployment in the construction and real estate sectors, and to a lesser extent, in services. Recipient countries are beginning to feel the “aftershocks” of the Spanish economic crisis as they receive less funds from their emigrants abroad. Read more
AND LUIS SOLER
Latin American remittances from Spain will decrease by 10 percent by the end of the first quarter of 2009
Remittances are a basic mechanism for the development of recipient countries, but it is vulnerable to economic downturns. In the wake of the economic slowdown, remittances sent by immigrants living in Spain have gradually fallen off in recent months. This is the logical effect associated with higher rates of unemployment in the construction and real estate sectors, and to a lesser extent, in services. Recipient countries are beginning to feel the “aftershocks” of the Spanish economic crisis as they receive less funds from their emigrants abroad. Read more
MOLDOVA: October remittances 11% down
The Moldovans that work abroad send less money home. Remittances in October fell by 11% from September. Experts say the decrease in the volume of remittances is an effect of the world economic crisis.
The Moldovans that work abroad send less money home. Remittances in October fell by 11% from September. Experts say the decrease in the volume of remittances is an effect of the world economic crisis.
The over 450,000 Moldovans working abroad in October sent home US$139.4 million, down over US$17 million from September. Remittances began to decrease in volume in August. In July, they totaled about US$181 million. Read more
The Moldovans that work abroad send less money home. Remittances in October fell by 11% from September. Experts say the decrease in the volume of remittances is an effect of the world economic crisis.
The over 450,000 Moldovans working abroad in October sent home US$139.4 million, down over US$17 million from September. Remittances began to decrease in volume in August. In July, they totaled about US$181 million. Read more
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Russia's migrants face attacks in economic slump
Remittances _ the money migrants send home to their families _ are critical to the economies of many former Soviet nations, and they are drying up as workers leave.
About 1.5 million of Tajikistan's population of 7 million work in Russia, and their remittances amount to about two-fifths of the country's GDP, the World Bank said. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Georgia also rely heavily on citizens who work abroad.
Moldova, Europe's poorest country, depends on remittances from the 2 million Moldovans working in Russia for almost 40 percent of its GDP. Deputy prime minister Igor Dodon told the Interfax news agency that half a million labor migrants from Moldova will return before the year's end. Read more
About 1.5 million of Tajikistan's population of 7 million work in Russia, and their remittances amount to about two-fifths of the country's GDP, the World Bank said. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Georgia also rely heavily on citizens who work abroad.
Moldova, Europe's poorest country, depends on remittances from the 2 million Moldovans working in Russia for almost 40 percent of its GDP. Deputy prime minister Igor Dodon told the Interfax news agency that half a million labor migrants from Moldova will return before the year's end. Read more
ZIMBABWE; UK SMS-based coupon remittance service for Zimbabweans goes global
Mukuru, an inflation-busting SMS-based coupon remittance programme for ex-pat Zimbabweans living in the UK, is expanding globally through an alliance with e-payments outfit Moneybookers.
Set up by UK-based Zimbabweans in 2004 with its first transfers in 2007, Mukuru allows ex-pats to remit value to friends or relatives through their mobile phone.
The service delivers text message coupons to recipients which can be redeemed for actual goods across a network of local stores, banks and petrol stations.
This enables them to bypass the Zimbabwe dollar and therefore hyperinflation, which is running at over 13.2 billion per cent a month, according to an index from the Cato Institute in Washington. Read more
Set up by UK-based Zimbabweans in 2004 with its first transfers in 2007, Mukuru allows ex-pats to remit value to friends or relatives through their mobile phone.
The service delivers text message coupons to recipients which can be redeemed for actual goods across a network of local stores, banks and petrol stations.
This enables them to bypass the Zimbabwe dollar and therefore hyperinflation, which is running at over 13.2 billion per cent a month, according to an index from the Cato Institute in Washington. Read more
Russia's migrants face attacks in economic slump
MANSUR MIROVALEV
The Associated Press
MOSCOW - Even by the standards of Moscow's xenophobic thugs it was a horrific attack: A group of skinheads gunned down Tajik migrant Salokhiddin Azizov on a Moscow region street, cut off his head and emailed a picture of the gruesome trophy to rights groups.
This week, Azizov was buried in his mountain village , a funeral in which mourners' grief mixed with rage. "They ... cursed Moscow," Azizov's uncle, Rakhmatsho, told The Associated Press on Thursday by telephone.
Like millions of others from impoverished former Soviet republics, the 20-year-old Azizov, who was killed Dec. 5, fled poverty for a low-paying job in Moscow's once-booming economy. Now, experts say, the rapidly spreading economic crisis , Russia's worst in a decade , has triggered a spike in hate attacks against non-Slavic migrants with Asian or Middle-Eastern features.
More than 100 foreigners have been killed in apparent hate attacks this year, four times more than in 2004, according to the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights.
Read more
The Associated Press
MOSCOW - Even by the standards of Moscow's xenophobic thugs it was a horrific attack: A group of skinheads gunned down Tajik migrant Salokhiddin Azizov on a Moscow region street, cut off his head and emailed a picture of the gruesome trophy to rights groups.
This week, Azizov was buried in his mountain village , a funeral in which mourners' grief mixed with rage. "They ... cursed Moscow," Azizov's uncle, Rakhmatsho, told The Associated Press on Thursday by telephone.
Like millions of others from impoverished former Soviet republics, the 20-year-old Azizov, who was killed Dec. 5, fled poverty for a low-paying job in Moscow's once-booming economy. Now, experts say, the rapidly spreading economic crisis , Russia's worst in a decade , has triggered a spike in hate attacks against non-Slavic migrants with Asian or Middle-Eastern features.
More than 100 foreigners have been killed in apparent hate attacks this year, four times more than in 2004, according to the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights.
Read more
Global remittances outpace ODA inflows - WB study
By Ted P. Torres Updated December 10, 2008 12:00 AM
Global remittances from overseas workers and migrants are outpacing the inflow of official official development funds, a World Bank study showed.
In the study, the World Bank said the approximately 200 million migrants around the world will likely send home $283 billion this year, 6.7 percent higher than the $265 billion remitted in 2007.
These remittances are coursed through the bank and non-bank financial sector and global money transfers companies, and do not include those coming from informal channels, the World Bank said.
In contrast, official development funds have been averaging more than $100 billion annually. Read more
Global remittances from overseas workers and migrants are outpacing the inflow of official official development funds, a World Bank study showed.
In the study, the World Bank said the approximately 200 million migrants around the world will likely send home $283 billion this year, 6.7 percent higher than the $265 billion remitted in 2007.
These remittances are coursed through the bank and non-bank financial sector and global money transfers companies, and do not include those coming from informal channels, the World Bank said.
In contrast, official development funds have been averaging more than $100 billion annually. Read more
Remittances Hit $283bn
espite the lingering global economic turmoil, the World Bank expects remittances to developing nations from their citizens abroad to grow by about $18 billion or 6.79 percent by the end of this year.
The Bank said remittances to the afore-mentioned nations including Ghana will rise from $265 billion to $283 billion by the end of 2008.
The inflow is expected from the estimated 200 million migrants around the world, a new World Bank report on migration and remittances has stated.
The growth in remittances is not likely to be sustained, the report noted, as it is projected to slow down and even fall from 6.7 percent to 0.9 percent in 2009.
Read more
The Bank said remittances to the afore-mentioned nations including Ghana will rise from $265 billion to $283 billion by the end of 2008.
The inflow is expected from the estimated 200 million migrants around the world, a new World Bank report on migration and remittances has stated.
The growth in remittances is not likely to be sustained, the report noted, as it is projected to slow down and even fall from 6.7 percent to 0.9 percent in 2009.
Read more
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh to offer benefits to expatriate workers to boost remittance
DHAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi caretaker government has decided to offer special benefits to the country's several million expatriate workers to boost inflow of remittance.
Abdul Malek, director general of Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, told Xinhua on Friday, "We'll provide Identity Cards with special status to the expatriate workers, who will annually send home money equivalent to 5,000 U.S. dollars through official channels." Read more
Abdul Malek, director general of Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, told Xinhua on Friday, "We'll provide Identity Cards with special status to the expatriate workers, who will annually send home money equivalent to 5,000 U.S. dollars through official channels." Read more
Monday, 15 December 2008
KENYA: M-PESA Burns Up the Front Pages
Vodafone’s M-PESA service continues to stir up attention, launching international remittances and stirring up questions about regulating nonbanks offering financial services.
Last Monday, Vodafone announced a tie-up with Western Union to enable customers to use mobile phones to initiate and receive international remittances between the UK and Kenya.
The service has two anchors. It uses Western Union’s existing remittance systems ($64 billion in cross-border remittances last year) to provide the connection between the UK and Kenya. Delivery will happen via the more than 4,000 merchants who already act as cash-handling agents for M-PESA. M-PESA is the successful domestic mobile payment service operated by Vodafone’s Kenyan affiliate ( Safaricom). In less than 2 years, more than 4 million Kenyans have signed up for M-PESA. Safaricom processes transactions worth approx. USD 120 million per month. Read more
Last Monday, Vodafone announced a tie-up with Western Union to enable customers to use mobile phones to initiate and receive international remittances between the UK and Kenya.
The service has two anchors. It uses Western Union’s existing remittance systems ($64 billion in cross-border remittances last year) to provide the connection between the UK and Kenya. Delivery will happen via the more than 4,000 merchants who already act as cash-handling agents for M-PESA. M-PESA is the successful domestic mobile payment service operated by Vodafone’s Kenyan affiliate ( Safaricom). In less than 2 years, more than 4 million Kenyans have signed up for M-PESA. Safaricom processes transactions worth approx. USD 120 million per month. Read more
INDIA: Outward remittances stand at USD 431 mn up to Sep`08
The outward remittances by resident individuals for different reasons like buying shares, property in a foreign country, making deposits or donations as also education and tours and travels overseas has witnessed an increase over the last couple of years.
Outward remittances stood at USD 431 million in the first six months of the current financial year against USD 440.5 million during the whole of 2007 and 2008, according to the data available with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
A large part of the remittance amounting to USD 233 million was under the `others` category out of total remittance of USD 431 million. Read more
Outward remittances stood at USD 431 million in the first six months of the current financial year against USD 440.5 million during the whole of 2007 and 2008, according to the data available with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
A large part of the remittance amounting to USD 233 million was under the `others` category out of total remittance of USD 431 million. Read more
Lebanese send more money home in 2008, but crisis may slow remittances
Daily Star staff
Monday, December 15, 2008
BEIRUT: In its first update on the inflow of remittances to developing countries since the outbreak of the global financial crisis, the World Bank estimated remittance inflows to Lebanon at $6 billion in 2008, constituting an increase of 4 percent from 2007, according to a report in Lebanon This Week, the economic publication of the Byblos Bank Group.
Lebanon's remittances stood at $5.77 billion in 2007, $5.2 billion in 2006 and $4.9 billion in 2005, according to the report.
Globally, Lebanon was the 18th largest recipient of remittances in 2008, ranking ahead of Vietnam, Serbia and Montenegro and Ukraine, and coming immediately behind Indonesia, Morocco and Pakistan. Read more
Monday, December 15, 2008
BEIRUT: In its first update on the inflow of remittances to developing countries since the outbreak of the global financial crisis, the World Bank estimated remittance inflows to Lebanon at $6 billion in 2008, constituting an increase of 4 percent from 2007, according to a report in Lebanon This Week, the economic publication of the Byblos Bank Group.
Lebanon's remittances stood at $5.77 billion in 2007, $5.2 billion in 2006 and $4.9 billion in 2005, according to the report.
Globally, Lebanon was the 18th largest recipient of remittances in 2008, ranking ahead of Vietnam, Serbia and Montenegro and Ukraine, and coming immediately behind Indonesia, Morocco and Pakistan. Read more
PHILIPPINES: 2008 OFW Remittances: Year-on-year Growth Rate Comparison Global slowdown drags October remittances to weakest pace
Remittances from Filipinos based overseas grew 3.3 percent in October, its the weakest pace in over a year, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sent home $1.43 billion in October, the second highest volume on record. However, in terms of annual increases, the October data is the lowest since June 2007 when inflows rose just 1 percent. It is also the second single-digit growth rate in 2008, apart from March, a traditionally weak month for remittances.
In September, the $1.33 billion total remittances accounted for a 17 percent growth compared to the same month last year.
Thus, the dismal 3.3 percent increase in October essentially confirms analysts' expectations that the pace of remittances would slow down as the global credit crisis and recession in the developed countries put jobs--including those of migrant workers'--at risk. Read more
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sent home $1.43 billion in October, the second highest volume on record. However, in terms of annual increases, the October data is the lowest since June 2007 when inflows rose just 1 percent. It is also the second single-digit growth rate in 2008, apart from March, a traditionally weak month for remittances.
In September, the $1.33 billion total remittances accounted for a 17 percent growth compared to the same month last year.
Thus, the dismal 3.3 percent increase in October essentially confirms analysts' expectations that the pace of remittances would slow down as the global credit crisis and recession in the developed countries put jobs--including those of migrant workers'--at risk. Read more
PHILIPPINES: 2008 OFW Remittances: Year-on-year Growth Rate Comparison Global slowdown drags October remittances to weakest pace
Remittances from Filipinos based overseas grew 3.3 percent in October, its the weakest pace in over a year, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sent home $1.43 billion in October, the second highest volume on record. However, in terms of annual increases, the October data is the lowest since June 2007 when inflows rose just 1 percent. It is also the second single-digit growth rate in 2008, apart from March, a traditionally weak month for remittances.
In September, the $1.33 billion total remittances accounted for a 17 percent growth compared to the same month last year.
Thus, the dismal 3.3 percent increase in October essentially confirms analysts' expectations that the pace of remittances would slow down as the global credit crisis and recession in the developed countries put jobs--including those of migrant workers'--at risk. Read more
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sent home $1.43 billion in October, the second highest volume on record. However, in terms of annual increases, the October data is the lowest since June 2007 when inflows rose just 1 percent. It is also the second single-digit growth rate in 2008, apart from March, a traditionally weak month for remittances.
In September, the $1.33 billion total remittances accounted for a 17 percent growth compared to the same month last year.
Thus, the dismal 3.3 percent increase in October essentially confirms analysts' expectations that the pace of remittances would slow down as the global credit crisis and recession in the developed countries put jobs--including those of migrant workers'--at risk. Read more
JAMAICA: Drop in remittances, tourism to hit Caribbean, says IMF boss
riday, December 12, 2008
Caribbean nations are likely to feel the impact of the global financial crisis through a drop in remittances from overseas workers and tourism revenues, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.
"The Caribbean region will inevitably be impacted by the challenges confronting the global economy, particularly given the region's close ties to the US economy," Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF's managing director, said in a prepared speech for delivery in the Jamaican capital.
While Jamaica has a small island economy, it has been directly hit by the global liquidity squeeze that has slowed private capital flows and made it difficult for governments to raise financing. Its currency and foreign exchange reserves have also come under pressure. Read More
Caribbean nations are likely to feel the impact of the global financial crisis through a drop in remittances from overseas workers and tourism revenues, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.
"The Caribbean region will inevitably be impacted by the challenges confronting the global economy, particularly given the region's close ties to the US economy," Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF's managing director, said in a prepared speech for delivery in the Jamaican capital.
While Jamaica has a small island economy, it has been directly hit by the global liquidity squeeze that has slowed private capital flows and made it difficult for governments to raise financing. Its currency and foreign exchange reserves have also come under pressure. Read More
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