DRAFT Resolution to Support Global Campaign

DRAFT Resolution to Support Global Campaign to Transform Money Transfer Industry;
Migrant Groups Demand Western Union, Others Adopt Corporate Social Responsibility

Whereas, in 2006 alone, Asian migrant workers sent over $100 billion to their families and loved ones in their home countries for food, shelter, education, healthcare, and for projects which benefit their communities;

Whereas, money transfer providers are rapidly expanding their business in Asia, because the region leads the world in remittances received. Western Union alone has nearly 60,000 agents in 35 countries in the region;

Whereas, money transfer companies are not socially responsible; they earn massive profits off migrants’ hard work, charging as high as 25% in fees, but they do not partner with us to reinvest in our communities;

Whereas, Asian migrant workers have experience using remittances for community reinvestment, as shown by MSAI projects, or Migrant Savings for Alternative Investment;

Whereas, migrant groups demand that money transfer companies adopt the following standards of corporate social responsibility:
• Commit $1 of every transaction to a transnational community reinvestment fund;
• Adopt socially-responsible investing;
• Reduce its fees, and;
• Provide a fair exchange rate.

Whereas, more than 150 migrant and community organizations in the United States launched a boycott against Western Union in September 2007, the biggest company in the money transfer industry. The boycott has recruited more than 200 migrant organizations across the U.S, Latin America, and Asia;

Whereas, the U.S. migrant network that launched the campaign, Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action or TIGRA, has already entered negotiations with money transfer companies to adopt these standards of corporate social responsibility;

Whereas our organization works on behalf of a diverse community which includes those who either send or receive remittances regularly;

Therefore, be it resolved that, [INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME] gives our wholehearted support for the campaign to stop the high human cost of remittances, and to contribute to the sustainable development of our communities both in home and host countries;

Specifically, we will work to hold the money transfer industry accountable by providing information about the campaign to our members and undertake activities to influence Western Union and other money transfer companies. We will provide our members with information on alternative companies, and encourage them, where possible, to boycott Western Union.

To endorse this resolution on the money transfer industry campaign, email mfa@pacific.net.hk or SMS/dial +91-9899740053.

For more information, see www.mfasia.org and www.boycottwesternunion.net.