BWI trade union leaders from Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia, and Lebanon convened in Palermo Italy to participate in the 4th Mediterranean Migration Strategy and Development Meeting. The meeting was held on 11 and 12 April 2019 at the Ai Cavalieri Hotel.
The meeting was opened by Rita Schiavi (UNIA-Switzerland) and Chair of the BWI Working Group on Migration, with welcoming remarks on behalf on the BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson. She highlighted the outcomes of the three Mediterranean meetings held since 2011; stressing the importance of migration to trade unions in the building and construction sectors.
In her opening remarks, Mercedes Landolfi (FILLEA-CGIL-Italy), gave an overview of the work that has been done by the sub-regional Mediterranean Migrants Network beginning with their first meeting in November 2011. Landolfi stressed that, “while recognizing the differences between the different countries in the sub-region, we can still learn from each other.”
Leoluca Orlando, mayor of Palermo welcomed everyone to his city, highlighting that he wants to see a shift in his city from being notorious as the capital of the mafia to being known for its hospitable approach towards migrants, making it a "capital of rights, welcoming, tolerance, and culture". Orlando discussed the current challenges to democracy in Italy, with the Extreme Right attacking migrants to build support.
He said that they have gone so far as making it illegal to help migrants without papers. The mayor asked whether, “with big platforms like Google, Amazon, and Alibaba, there are really borders anymore?” To him, “identity was not dependent on the ability to exclude people if you have a positive way of defining yourself.”
The meeting was an opportunity to highlight current trends and discussion on issues impacting migrants and refugees at the global and regional levels. It also provided an opportunity to meet candidates for the upcoming EU elections from France and Italy to listen to their positions on migrants and refugees.
During the meeting, participants shared their challenges and achievements in supporting migrant and refugee workers as well as ways to build and strengthen alliances and partnerships between Europe and the MENA region.
Representatives from both sides of the Mediterranean said that politicians are exploiting fear of migrants and refugees for political ends, are spreading false information, and are increasing tensions among workers and in society in general. However, there are examples of migrants making progress, including through organising.
Bahri Taleb (FGBB Tunisia) pointed out, as did others, that a greater burden of accommodating refugees and migrants is falling on countries on the South side of the Mediterranean than in Europe. He said, “European states have adopted a flawed approach that considers migration a threat to their societies and cultural and religious values, and that migrants are a source of extremism, terrorism, and threats.”
Fadi Khouri (GSTU-Lebanon); Mahmoud Al Hiyari (GTUCW-Jordan); and, Sukru Durmus (TARIM ORMAN-IS-Turkey) reported a large number of refugees particularly from Syria living in their respective countries. Each of them outlined the efforts of their unions to assist and outreach to them as many are part of the informal work in the BWI sectors.