Migrants play a “vital” role in Bermuda according to Minister of Economy Kim Wilson.Ms Wilson spoke at yesterday's proclamation of International Migrants Day. It was the first time Bermuda recognised the day.“Let me start by saying ‘thank you' to every migrant worker who has come to Bermuda's shores to contribute positively to the workplace,” she said. “Our Island could not run efficiently without you.“Whether it's the grocery store, our favourite restaurant, an international company, or our children's schools, migrant workers play an extremely vital role in our workforce.“We appreciate your contributions and like your Bermudian counterparts, there are systems in place to ensure fair treatment.“The role of the Department of Labour and Training, under the direction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, is to promote good industrial relations by providing advisory, conciliation, mediation and arbitration in the prevention of labour disputes for the benefit of all workers“Migrant workers have the right like their local counterparts to file an official complaint with the Labour Relations Office in instances of unfair treatment, or where there is an issue in which the employer has failed to comply with the Act, an Inspector will investigate. If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the employer is in violation of the Act, the matter will be effectively addressed.”Minister Glenn Blakeney, who ensures the Human Rights Act is upheld, added: “The sad reality is despite the positive experiences many guest workers have on the Island we have heard of others who are abused.” He said the Human Rights Act protected migrant workers from discrimination.Ghenie Edwards, a member of the Filipino Community who spoke at yesterday's event at City Hall, said she was grateful the Bermuda Industrial Union was looking into the working conditions of migrants.She said 4,500 Filipinos leave their home country every day to work abroad as a result of poverty, corruption and Government incompetence. “Indeed, the Philippines is a rich source of cheap labour for developed countries.“Migrant Filipinos are an exploited lot. The abuses and exploitation they experience in their places of work are prevalent. These range from contract violation, rape, sexual harassment, and mysterious deaths, among others. Yearly, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos [around the world] are reported to have suffered various forms of abuse and exploitation in the hands of their employer.”She said migrant workers must link up with organised labour in order to break the cycles of abuse.The BIU and Bermuda Public Service Union both said they wanted to help protect migrants' rights.BIU member George Scott added: “Our motto is ‘united we stand, divided we fall'. We must stand united when it comes to the rights of migrants.The Bermuda Public Service Union has compiled a pre-decision and information kit for migrant workers thinking of relocating to Bermuda. It outlines their rights, the cost of living on the Island and the health system.