Viewpoints and Advocacy

Themes and Issues

Migrant Rights

Preparation of Issues for Consideration of the Ecuador Report

On behalf specifically of Peruvian migrant workers in Ecuador, the International Catholic Migration Commission would like to submit one issue for the Committee to consider as it reviews the initial report submitted by the government of Ecuador.

On 22 December, 2006, an agreement was signed between the governments of Ecuador and Peru to regularize the immigration and employment status of certain nationals of Peru and Ecuador in the border region. The agreement, "Acuerdo para regularizar la situación laboral y migratoria de nacionales del Ecuador y del Perú en la Región de Integración Fronteriza Ampliada," came into effect on 20 February, requiring migrants to file paperwork with the authorities no later than 10 May.

We estimate that some 6,000 Peruvian nationals would like to take advantage of this process and regularize their status in Ecuador. Most of the migrants work in construction, agriculture, and domestic services. However, through the end of March, not one single case had been recorded in the appropriate government office on the Ecuadorean side of the border and only four in the office on the Peruvian side. Moreover, despite the provision in Article 7 of the agreement, which suspended expulsions and deportations, such extreme measures have continued to be taken against migrants in the area.

We have observed that the principal reason why so few Peruvian migrants in particular have filed under this agreement is that they do not know about the agreement and the related process, simply because there has not been enough communication or information made available about it, with less than 3 months to act as well.

Because we believe that the purpose of the two governments was sincere, that this process of regularization was truly intended, among others, for Peruvian migrant workers in Ecuador, and that in fact at least 6,000 Peruvians may benefit from the regularization if they are only given reasonable information and time to do so, we would ask the Committee on Migrant Workers to inquire of Ecuador, with reference to Articles 33 and 69 of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and members of their Families:

1. Please describe what steps have been or will be taken to raise awareness of the opportunity for regularization among Peruvian migrants in particular, and whether there has been any consideration of extending, or re-opening, the period in which they may apply for regularization;
2. Please inform the Committee of the results of the overall regularization process, including the number of applicants, their nationality, and the disposition of their applications.