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73 Avenue Realtors opens new headquarters in Colombo 7

73 Avenue Realtors, the Sri Lankan luxury real estate company that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic by pioneering virtual property experiences, has opened its new headquarters at 103 Barnes Place, Colombo 7, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth and its ambition to redefine the way real estate is bought, sold, managed and experienced.

Founded in 2020 by Arshad Mohideen and Akram Mohideen, 73 Avenue was established at a time when traditional property viewings had come to an almost complete standstill. With international travel restricted and prospective buyers unable to physically visit properties, the company saw an opportunity to rethink the conventional real estate model.

Rather than simply waiting for the market to return to normal, 73 Avenue introduced an experiential approach to property marketing, pioneering virtual property tours in Sri Lanka and allowing buyers to experience and evaluate properties remotely. Within a short period, 73Avenue established itself as a distinctive player in the market, building a brand around luxury property sales, rentals and investment, while placing a strong emphasis on experience, technology, content and personalised client service.

Today, the company has grown into a team of more than 15 property consultants, servicing an increasingly affluent clientele across Sri Lanka and international markets. Additionally, the company’s ambitions have also expanded beyond Sri Lanka. 73 Avenue has established a presence in Dubai and developed channel partnerships across Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, creating a wider international network designed to connect Sri Lankan investors with overseas property opportunities while simultaneously taking Sri Lankan real estate to a global audience.

‘For us, real estate has never been just about buying and selling a property, but rather our clients real estate goals,’ said 73 Avenue Realtors Co-Founder Arshad Mohideen. ‘From the very beginning, we have challenged ourselves to look at the industry differently. We started during COVID by asking how we could make property accessible to people who could not physically travel. That mindset of challenging the status quo has remained at the heart of 73 Avenue.’

The new office, which is located in one of Colombo’s most established and prestigious neighbourhoods, has been designed to strengthen 73 Avenue’s ability to deliver a more comprehensive and elevated experience to its clients.

Beyond property sales and rentals, the company is expanding its service proposition to include property management, interior design solutions and real estate portfolio management, allowing clients to access a broader ecosystem of property-related services under one roof.

The move also reflects the changing needs of the company’s clientele, particularly high-net-worth individuals and investors who increasingly view property not merely as a transaction, but as an important component of long-term wealth creation and portfolio diversification.

‘Our clients are looking for much more than a transaction,’ added Director – Growth Javeen Soysa. ‘They want trusted advice, access to the right opportunities, support in managing their assets and, increasingly, a partner who understands their broader real estate portfolio. The new headquarters gives us the platform to build that proposition further.’

Since its inception, 73 Avenue has positioned itself around the belief that the real estate industry can be more innovative, more experiential and more client-centric. From virtual property tours to digital-first property marketing, international partnerships and an expanding suite of property services, the company has sought to move beyond the traditional brokerage model.

As Sri Lanka’s property market continues to evolve and local investors increasingly explore opportunities beyond traditional asset classes and geographic boundaries, 73 Avenue believes the future of real estate will be defined by the quality of advice, experience, technology and relationships built around the property.

‘With this move, we are not simply opening a bigger office. We are building the infrastructure for the next phase of 73Avenue,’ said Director – Operations Akram Mohideen. ‘We want to cement our position as a strong player in the industry while continuing to redefine what a modern real estate company from Sri Lanka can be.’

The opening of the Barnes Place headquarters marks another chapter in 73 Avenue Realtors’ journey; from a company born during a global crisis to a growing regional real estate brand connecting Sri Lankan property with the world, and Sri Lankan investors with the world of global real estate.

Security begins with trust, social cohesion, responsible speech – Akume

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Wednesday declared that Nigeria’s security could not be guaranteed by military and intelligence operations alone, saying lasting security must also be built on trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible public discourse.

Akume also charged religious leaders to regard peacebuilding as an integral part of national security and use their influence to promote unity and responsible political participation as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

The SGF, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, said religious leaders occupied a strategic position in preventing conflicts and strengthening peaceful coexistence.

‘National security cannot be the responsibility of soldiers, police officers and intelligence agencies alone. Security also begins with trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible speech’, Akume said.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the Church, because of its extensive influence and capacity for social mobilisation, has an important role to play in addressing threats to national cohesion.

‘Religious leaders occupy a very important intersection in the prevention and management of these issues because they are recognised influential social mobilisers and actors in peacebuilding. The Church must therefore see peacebuilding as part of national security’, he said.

Akume disclosed that security agencies had recorded some intelligence-led breakthroughs, including the rescue in August of 308 abducted Nigerians from Kwara and Niger states.

He, however, cautioned that the security challenge was far from over, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of criminal violence continued to inflict suffering on families and communities.

Turning to the approaching 2027 general elections, the SGF urged bishops and other religious leaders to use their influence to strengthen democratic values rather than promote partisan divisions.

‘Elections will come and go, but Nigeria must remain. As Charismatic Bishops and fathers of faith, you have a decisive role to play, not in determining the winner, but in helping to ensure that Nigeria does not lose’, he said.

He urged the clerics to ‘encourage peaceful and conscientious participation’ and ‘raise your voices against anti-democratic practices such as vote-buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnicity or religion’.

Akume particularly cautioned religious leaders against turning places of worship into platforms for political incitement.

‘I urge you to please refrain from turning the pulpit into an instrument of incitement instead of the sanctuary of conscience. An election is a contest for office; it must never become a war for survival’, he said.

The SGF also conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the Christian community, saying the President ‘deeply values the prayers of the Church, its humanitarian interventions, and contributions to peace, national cohesion and moral formation’.

On the economy, Akume acknowledged the hardship Nigerians had endured as a consequence of the administration’s economic reforms, assuring citizens that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

‘Government recognises the fact that these reforms come with some inevitable pains and that Nigerians have significantly endured. We commend our citizens for their patriotism and resilience and assure them that it would never be in vain, as promised by the President’, he said.

The SGF said that while World Bank reports had indicated improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability, the administration was now concentrating on translating the gains into improved living conditions and recovery of household incomes.

‘This government is focusing on recovery of household incomes from poverty and will never relent until reform succeeds and translates to affordable food, jobs, better infrastructure, health services and dignity for the ordinary citizen. That is where Renewed Hope Agenda truly lies’, he said.

Akume explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda was anchored on reducing hardship, expanding opportunities, simplifying the fiscal regime and providing relief to vulnerable Nigerians and businesses.

He said the Federal Government was expanding interventions in education, healthcare, social protection and community resilience as part of efforts to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms reached citizens across the country.

According to him, the government’s strategy is to ‘keep listening; to correct what needs correction; to protect the vulnerable; to strengthen accountability; and to ensure that the benefits of reform are increasingly felt across the Federation’.

Akume urged the Synod to explore greater collaboration between the Church and government, particularly in youth empowerment, education, peacebuilding, civic responsibility, and humanitarian services.

‘Government needs the moral reach of the Church and the Church needs an enabling civic environment to thrive. Above all, Nigeria needs both to work perfectly for the common good’, he said.

The SGF said the administration remained open to constructive engagement, stressing that responsiveness required government to listen and make adjustments where necessary.

‘A listening government must be willing not only to explain itself, but also to learn, adjust and improve. May the Holy Spirit guide your deliberations. May this Synod renew your strength, deepen your unity and enlarge your impact. And may God grant Nigeria peace and bless our nation’, Akume said.

He thereafter declared the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria open.

Korle Bu Gets Childhood Cancer Library

Ashfoam Cares, a charity wing of the Ashanti Foam Factory Limited (Ashfoam), has supported the Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana (LCCG) NGO to commission a well-furnished library hub for childhood cancer patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The library was also supported by other institutions such as the Ghana Library Authority. The facility seeks to provide critical emotional, educational, and social support for children fighting cancer and their families.

Speaking in an interview, the Marketing and Communications Manager of Ashfoam Ghana Limited, Nana Yaw Ampem-Darko Antwi, said the company’s philanthropic work is carried out directly through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Initiatives (CSI).

He said the support for the Childhood Cancer Unit at Korle Bu is part of Ashfoam’s health sector agenda. ‘When we were approached by the LCCG, we saw children as young as zero to three years living with cancer. It is heartbreaking,’ he stated.

He explained that the intervention is in phases. In the first phase, Ashfoam provided all furniture for the new library at the unit to keep children engaged while on admission. The company will announce a second phase of support soon.

Nana Yaw painting with some children at the library

According to him, Ashfoam supports several health causes including childhood cancer and the Sickle Cell Foundation, with focus on children who hold the future of the country. He added that Ashfoam will help maintain and improve the facility to international standards, including painting and regular upkeep, to ensure it remains in good condition for the children.

Executive Director of LCCG, Akua Sarpong, said children with cancer spend months in hospital beds, with their world reduced to machines, medicines and drips. She said playing and learning are integral to childhood, but cancer takes that away and rips children of their childhood.

According to her, the new library provides a safe space for children to leave their hospital beds, feel safe, dream, laugh, learn, play and connect without thinking about cancer.

‘The facility also supports mothers, with an outdoor area for activities and a mother circle where they share experiences and receive therapeutic support. The space is also used for art therapy, which is important in the treatment protocol as it helps children relax and express themselves,’ she added.

India’s BRICS chairship 2026: Uganda in a wider global south partnership

On September 12-13, New Delhi will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s people-centric vision of ‘Humanity First’. The year is also significant as BRICS completes twenty years since its establishment. Today, the grouping comprises eleven members and ten Partner Countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP.

India has sought to make its Chairship practical and outcome-oriented. More than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have already been held in over 25 Indian cities across political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people tracks.

The four pillars of Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability have translated into work on health, agriculture and food security, energy, resilient supply chains, startups and MSMEs, Digital Public Infrastructure, artificial intelligence, reform of global governance, renewable energy and climate adaptation. New initiatives include cooperation platforms on agro-inputs and regenerative agriculture, smart grids and energy storage, healthy lifestyles, climate-resilient urban infrastructure, standardisation and logistics supply chains.

For Uganda, this agenda is directly relevant. Uganda has participated in BRICS as a Partner Country since January 2025. Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo will lead Uganda’s delegation to the New Delhi Summit, which will also include Hon. Mutasingwa Diana Nankunda, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President. This builds on Uganda’s growing engagement with BRICS. In May, the then Foreign Minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo, participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi and met External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar.

Uganda participates as a Partner Country, rather than a full member, but India’s Chairship has deliberately involved Partner Countries in several key ministerial, parliamentary, business, youth, scientific and cultural tracks. This creates opportunities for Uganda to engage on issues central to its own development agenda: agricultural productivity and value addition, affordable healthcare, energy access, digital transformation, MSMEs, skills, climate resilience, investment and reform of international institutions.

BRICS engagement also fits naturally into the wider India-Uganda relationship. It was in the Parliament of Uganda in July 2018 that Prime Minister Modi articulated India’s ten guiding principles for engagement with Africa, including partnership according to African priorities, local capacity-building, greater trade, digital cooperation, agricultural development and a more representative global order. Those principles remain visible in our bilateral cooperation today-from ITEC training and ICCR scholarships to the National Forensic Sciences University campus in Jinja, healthcare cooperation, defence training, business exchanges and the longstanding contribution of the Indian community in Uganda. BRICS therefore does not replace bilateral cooperation; it adds another platform through which it can be widened.

Importantly, India’s Chairship has also taken BRICS beyond conference rooms. Under its Jan Bhagidari, or public-participation, approach, cultural and people-to-people activities form an important part of the programme. Uganda will have a distinctive presence. At ‘BRICS Symphony – One Rhythm, Many Cultures’, Ugandan musicians Jaffar Ssemwogerere Mudhasi, playing the Amadinda, and Ronald Musisi, playing the Adungu, will join artists from other participating countries. The event will feature a new symphonic poem, ‘BRICS – A Commonwealth of Cultures’, during the Leaders’ Gala Dinner on 12 September.

Ugandan craftsmanship will also be represented at the BRICS Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi from 8-13 September. Sharon Aziku from Arua and Ursula Joan Napeyok from Karamoja will showcase Uganda’s handicrafts and cultural traditions alongside artisans from other BRICS Member and Partner Countries. Their participation gives a human and cultural expression to a grouping often discussed mainly in geopolitical and economic terms.

There is also an important wider African dimension. President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi has been invited to the Summit in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union and will lead a delegation including Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana. This is particularly meaningful for India. During its G20 Presidency in 2023, India strongly championed the African Union’s admission as a permanent member of the G20. The presence of the AU Chair in New Delhi reinforces India’s belief that Africa must have a stronger voice in global decision-making.

The New Delhi Summit will be judged ultimately by its ability to convert representation into practical outcomes. For Uganda, the opportunity is to use BRICS engagement to deepen investment, technology partnerships, market access, capacity-building and cooperation on development priorities. For India, Uganda is both a valued bilateral partner and an important African voice. The 2026 Summit offers an opportunity to bring these two dimensions together-bilateral trust and wider Global South cooperation-in pursuit of more inclusive growth and a more representative international order.

Solicitor General Dayaratne appointed Acting Attorney General

Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, PC has been appointed as the Acting Attorney General by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, until Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe returns to the country.

Dayaratne, who has served as Solicitor General since November 2024, brings over three decades of experience at the Attorney General’s Department, where he currently heads the Criminal Division. He was appointed a President’s Counsel in May 2018 and previously served as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) from 2020 to 2023.

This is not his first stint in the role, having also served as Acting Attorney General on a prior occasion.

UNITED STATES-MIGRATION-Haitian group urges US Senate to pass TPS legislation for Haitians

The California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) is urging the United State Senate to vote in support of a petition extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 350,000 Haitian nationals for three years and restoring work authorisation for eligible recipients.

HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef said that the US House of Representatives has already passed the measure with bipartisan support, following months of advocacy by several stakeholders including the HBA calling on lawmakers to act.

‘With extreme gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis continuing in Haiti, returning Haitian TPS holders remains unsafe and, for many families, unimaginable,’ she told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

‘On Labour Day, we recognize the millions of workers whose labour keeps our communities and economy moving. Haitian TPS holders are part of that workforce. They are caregivers, healthcare workers, construction workers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers, and consumers who contribute every day to the American economy,’ she said.

The US observed Labour Day celebrations this week and Jozef said that taking away the ability of Haitians to work legally does not serve the interests of the United States.

‘It harms American employers, disrupts families, reduces economic activity, and removes experienced workers from industries that depend on them.

‘HBA urges the Senate to act swiftly. Extending TPS is both a humanitarian necessity and an economic imperative: allowing Haitian TPS holders and other nationals to remain legally employed means they can continue paying taxes, supporting American businesses, caring for families, and contributing to their communities.’

Jozef said that, at a time when the United States needs a stable and productive workforce, ‘Congress should not force hundreds of thousands of workers out of the legal economy while Haiti remains unsafe for return.’

Jozef has strongly condemned as ‘unconscionable’ the Donald Trump administration’s deportation of more than 160 Haitian nationals to Haiti, marking the first large-scale deportation flight following the termination of TPS for more than 350,000 Haitians residing in the United States.

‘This is not simply a question of immigration enforcement. We are talking about human beings being sent into a country where more than a million people have already been driven from their homes and where there are security and humanitarian crises..

‘The United States cannot claim that Haiti is safe while simultaneously acknowledging the extraordinary security risks that prevent even commercial flights from operating in Port-au-Prince and telling the whole world to not travel there,’ said Jozef, calling for a moratorium on deportations to Haiti.

‘These deportations are unconscionable and will contribute to the continued destabilization of Haiti,’ she said, urging the Senate to ‘immediately extend TPS for a minimum of three years by passing the petition ‘until we are able to pass comprehensive immigration reform to permanently protect all TPS and DACA (Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrivals) recipients across this nation’

Jozef pointed to United Nations date that states that nearly 1.5 million Haitians are internally displaced, while 6.4 million people-more than half the French-speaking Caribbean country’s population-are expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2026.

‘The security situation continues to deteriorate. Between March and July alone, the United Nations documented at least 613 people killed, 375 injured, and more than 18,000 displaced in violence concentrated in Cité Soleil and the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac.

‘Against this backdrop, HBA warns that returning people to Haiti without adequate safeguards, resources, housing, security, and access to essential services as hospitals and other sustainable infrastructure places lives at serious risk,’ added Jozef, stating that more than 110,000 Haitian nationals had already been forcibly returned to Haiti since January 2026, according to the United Nations.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has described as ‘callous, reckless and inhumane’ US President Donald J. Trump’s termination of TPS for Haitians and other immigrants.

In a letter to US Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Markwayne Mullin, Hochul reiterated her strong opposition to the termination of protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants under TPS.

‘I am writing to follow up on a conversation I had with President Trump, and to reiterate my strong opposition to the termination of protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

‘The callousness of abruptly ending TPS for legally-present individuals including the recent termination for Haitians and the forthcoming termination for Salvadorians will force New York State and local governments to sever the employment of hundreds of essential employees as soon as next week, putting their livelihoods – and potentially their safety – at risk,’ Hochul wrote.

She said that this impact is not limited to government workers and will be felt by private sector industries across our state.

‘The sudden removal of these members of our workforce and our communities will impact critical services that New Yorkers rely on – with a particularly heavy impact on the healthcare industry, putting our seniors and other vulnerable New Yorkers at risk,’ the said, adding that for generations, New York has welcomed those fleeing disasters or persecution and seeking a better future.

Through her Office for New Americans, Hochul said her administration has supported thousands of New Yorkers with TPS application assistance and legal representation.

She said New York remains committed to supporting TPS recipients and vowed to continue to do everything in its power to prevent harm to the immigrant community.

As the Haitian community reels from the termination of TPS, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said that New York City will ‘do everything in its power’ to support Haiti TPS recipients.

‘The city will do everything in its power to support TPS recipients in this time of incredible instability, including through free legal consultations to assess eligibility for other forms of work authorization, as well as assistance navigating health insurance and other resources for employees and their families,’ said the mayor in a statement.

Relief for travellers as India lifts visa restrictions on Uganda

The Government of India has officially resumed processing all visa services for Ugandan nationals, bringing relief to hundreds of business travelers, students, and medical tourists whose plans were temporarily halted.

The move, announced Wednesday, September 9, 2026, follows Uganda’s official declaration as Ebola-free by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently, ending months of heightened travel precautions and border controls. Under the updated directive, both regular physical visas and e-Visa services have been fully restored for Ugandan passport holders.

The development was confirmed by Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Adonia Ayebare, who hailed the diplomatic collaboration between Kampala and New Delhi that facilitated the swift reversal of travel restrictions.

“I am happy to announce that the friendly Government of India has decided to resume all visa services-both e-Visa and regular visa-for the nationals of Uganda,” Amb. Ayebare said.

He expressed gratitude to India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, for his direct intervention and key role in resolving the matter. Amb Ayebare noted that he would be meeting his Indian counterpart to formally convey the Ugandan government’s appreciation for the gesture.

Despite the lifting of visa suspensions, public health authorities in India will maintain targeted preventive protocols to ensure safety at points of entry. Ugandan travelers will still be subject to standard health screening measures upon arrival.

“However, some public health actions remain, such as the submission of a Self Declaration Form, thermal screening, and ongoing health monitoring for travelers arriving from Uganda,” Amb. Ayebare explained.

The resumption of visa services is expected to instantly reactivate trade and medical tourism between the two nations. India remains one of the primary destinations for Ugandans seeking specialized medical care, higher education, and commercial supply chains.

The initial travel curbs were instituted as a temporary precautionary response during the health emergency. With the outbreak officially declared over, bilateral engagements have normalized, marking a strong reaffirmation of diplomatic and economic ties between Uganda and India.

Azerbaijani athletes to compete in SCO Open Cup Rowing and Canoeing events

Three Azerbaijani athletes will compete in the Open Cup of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Rowing, Kayaking, and Canoeing in Minsk, Belarus.

The international tournament will take place from September 10 to 13.

Mustafa Valizade and Elmir Tarverdiyev will compete in kayaking, while Huseyn Samadli will represent Azerbaijan in canoeing.

The Azerbaijani team will be led by senior coach Mirnazim Javadov.

The competition is being held as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s new Open Cup programme, which was introduced in 2026 to expand sports cooperation among SCO member states.

The programme includes competitions in different sports and is intended to strengthen ties between athletes and sports organizations across the organization.

The rowing, kayaking and canoeing competition in Minsk is one of the events held under the SCO Open Cup framework.

Galle CC, Army SC to meet in Tier B 50-over finals

Opening batsman Yuthika Dilruk de Silva, the former Kalutara Vidyalaya cricketer powered Galle CC to the final of the Tier B 50-over tournament with a blazing knock of 86 off 64 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) in their semi-final match against Moratuwa SC which they won by seven wickets at Bloomfield grounds.

In the other semi-final played at the Colts grounds yesterday, Army SC came up with a powerful batting performance to outplay Kurunegala SC by five wickets.

Galle CC made light of Moratuwa SC’s modest total of 143, winning in the 22nd over with Yuthika dominating their batting. Koshendra Fernando, a right-arm seamer from St Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa took all three Galle CC wickets to fall conceding 45 runs. Only Rusith Jayawardana (56* off 80 balls, 3 fours) played with any purpose for Moratuwa SC against a varied pace cum spin bowling Galle CC attack where four bowlers took two wickets apiece.

Army SC chased down a target of 265 to win with 46 balls to spare against Kurunegala SC. An opening stand of 98 between Ashan Sudarshana (50 off 57 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and Pathum Dilshan (41) provided the base for Army SC’s run chase which was completed by two former Sri Lankan cricketers Asela Gunaratne (39*) and Thisara Perera (48 off 34 balls, 4 sixes) who were involved in a stand of 86 off 63 balls.

Kurunegala SC who chose to bat first scored 264. Their total was made up of a fifty from Dulaj Ranatunga (56 off 69 balls, 4 fours) and contributions of 41 and 42 from Dilshan Kollure and skipper Sarinda Dassanayake respectively. Leg-spinner Lilan Rangana (3/44) and medium-pacer Asela Gunaratne (3/54) were the principle wicket-takers for Army SC.

The final between Galle CC and Army SC will take place on 11 February at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium under lights.

Filipina care workers seen sustaining aging Asia-Pacific

Filipina caregivers and nurses are expected to play an increasingly important role in sustaining the care systems of aging Asia-Pacific economies such as Australia, Japan, and Singapore, according to a study by government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

But while the growing demand for Filipino care workers creates jobs and generates remittances, it could also deepen shortages in the Philippines’ own health and care sectors, creating what researchers describe as a ‘care deficit.’

The PIDS Discussion Paper, titled ‘The Future of Work in Aging Societies: Filipina Migrant Workers in the Asia-Pacific Value Chains,’ and authored by Jean Clarisse T. Carlos, Jocelyn O. Celero, and Evangeline Katigbak-Montoya, said care work can no longer be viewed simply as overseas employment.

Instead, the authors argue that migrant care work has become an essential component of cross-border regional value chains as Asia-Pacific economies grapple with aging populations, labor shortages, and rising demand for long-term care.

‘Asia-Pacific economies become increasingly care-intensive,’ the study noted, the role of migrant workers will become even more critical in meeting the region’s growing care needs.

Growing demand

The Philippines has emerged as a major supplier of skilled care workers as labor shortages deepen across the region.

The authors pointed out that Singapore employed about 250,000 foreign domestic workers in 2021, around half of whom were Filipinas. More than 3,000 Filipino nurses and caregivers have been deployed to Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, while Australia employs an estimated 10,000 Filipino healthcare professionals.

The country also has a sustained pipeline of women entering the caregiving profession.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2023 Labor Force Survey and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the authors said more than 85 percent of those enrolled in and graduating from caregiving training programs are women. Women also make up the overwhelming majority of the country’s care workforce.

Filipino care workers are sought after overseas for their English proficiency, caregiving skills, and cultural adaptability, according to the study.

These qualities have helped make Filipinos a key source of workers for healthcare, eldercare, and domestic care services in countries facing their own demographic and labor challenges.

The cost of migration

Despite their growing importance, however, Filipina care workers continue to face a number of challenges abroad.

The study identified insecure employment, long working hours, language barriers, limited opportunities for career advancement, and unequal access to labor protections, healthcare, and social security benefits among the issues confronting migrant care workers.

The authors said the increasing dependence of destination countries on migrant care workers has not been matched by stronger protections for those workers.

This creates a growing paradox. While destination countries increasingly rely on Filipino workers to care for their aging populations, the continued migration of caregivers and healthcare professionals could leave the Philippines facing shortages of its own.

The authors refer to this as a ‘care deficit,’ a situation in which the country loses workers who could otherwise contribute to its domestic health and care system.

Although overseas employment provides jobs and generates remittances, the study suggests that the economic benefits must be weighed against the potential long-term impact on the country’s own care workforce.

Beyond overseas employment

To examine these issues, the authors combined Philippine labor market data with policy analysis and interviews involving migration experts, government representatives, and Filipina migrant workers in Japan, Singapore, and Australia.

This allowed them to examine both the economic value of migrant care work and the everyday experiences of Filipino workers, while identifying policy gaps affecting both sending and receiving countries.

The study recommends several measures to help sustain the region’s growing care economy.

These include improving the cross-border recognition of professional qualifications, expanding access to portable social protection and healthcare benefits, promoting ethical recruitment, investing in continuous skills development and digital training, and strengthening bilateral agreements between the Philippines and destination countries.

‘Ensuring the sustainability of this care-driven interdependence demands collective action, between states, industries, and regional institutions, to secure equitable, ethical, and technologically supported care systems across the APEC region,’ the authors said.

They added that recognizing the value of care work must go hand in hand with ensuring decent work, fair treatment, and adequate protection for the workers who support millions of older people across the region.

‘Filipina migrant workers lie at the nexus of economic necessity and social reproduction. They sustain aging populations abroad while filling fiscal gaps at home through remittances, yet their work remains undervalued and insufficiently protected,’ the authors said.