The Colombo Process: Labour Migration Governance by Countries of Origin in Asia

This paper analyses the role of the Colombo Process as an active Regional Consultative Process in Asia. It starts with an overview of its genesis and institutional development, starting with IOM’s impulse and the different stages through which it has evolved. This overview will provide an opportunity to question the solidity of the RCP’s organizational model and its dependence on the level of commitment of individual member countries, particularly the holder of the chairmanship. The paper continues by presenting the relevant political discourses shaping the Colombo Process’ action. This opens a window into the effective and/or potential role this type of organization might have for labour migration governance in Asia. The political discourse, typically stated at the Ministerial level, will then be compared with infra-ministerial initiatives. The purpose is to assess the level of effectiveness of both levels and their interconnection in terms of discourse and practice. Such assessment is also an opportunity to question the efficacy of labour migration governance at origin. The paper concludes by presenting possible suggestions to enhance the role of the Colombo Process, particularly by furthering cooperation with countries of destination individually considered or as members of equivalent RCPs. This role might be framed within the new context of global migration governance coming from UN’s Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular migration and IOM’s new status.