Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand are being urged to incorporate court-ordered child maintenance payments for migrant workers into their bilateral agreements. This recommendation stems from a UNICEF study which found that some migrant workers who have left their partners are neglecting to support their families back home.
The study suggested that pre-departure plans for workers should incorporate remittance planning and potentially include remittance contracts to ensure families receive financial support while parents are abroad. Participants in the study advocated for mandatory maintenance payments for overseas workers.
Additionally, the research emphasized the importance of financial literacy training, which could be integrated into pre-departure training for both workers and their caregivers. It called for bilateral agreements that would enable the enforcement of court-ordered child maintenance payments.
Support for elderly caregivers left responsible for the children of migrant workers was also highlighted. The study pointed out that older relatives, especially grandparents, require assistance from relevant social welfare agencies. It noted the need for age-appropriate resources to help elderly caregivers who are burdened with childcare and household responsibilities.
Furthermore, it stressed that educational support is crucial for children under the care of elderly individuals to aid in their school attendance and academic performance. Financial and food assistance is particularly necessary for elderly caregivers facing gaps in remittances and lacking resources to support themselves and the children they look after.
The research encouraged migrant workers to rethink care arrangements reliant solely on elderly individuals and to establish clear care plans for their children before and during their time away. It advised that in nuclear families, not both parents should migrate simultaneously; one adult caregiver should remain to ensure continuity in parental care, thereby safeguarding both children and the elderly.