The rights of Migrant Workers The rightsbased approach
The rights of Migrant Workers The rights-based approach WHY? ; WHAT? ; HOW? Luc Demaret ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities
Key Messages ® Migrant workers are titular of rights ® ILO standards make a difference ® ALL ILO Conventions apply to Migrants ® Specific Conventions (97 and 143) go beyond mere protection: sound migration policies. ® Migration is a labour issue
Migration is a labour issue ® UN projection ® Decent work deficit ® Aging Europe ® A stable phenomenon ® Lagging behind globalisation ® The truth about remittances
Why should trade unions adopt a rights-based approach? ® Decent work deficit ® Abuses of workers’ rights ® Protecting national workers = protecting all workers ® Migrant workers as TU members strengthen organisation ® If unions do not pay attention to MW others will ® Unions must be seen to be relevant
ILO Multilateral framework ® Three principles ® Migration flows should be managed through tripartite consensus, ® To avoid undue pressure on existing wages and conditions, migrant workers' rights to equal treatment should be respected. ® To avoid the persistence of irregular migration and trafficking, legal avenues should gradually be offered to potential migrant workers.
ILO Multilateral framework ® 15 principles ® Principle 5: Expanding legal avenues ® Temporary programmes=temporary jobs ® Contradictions: ® Restrictive policies ® High-skilled ® Circular migration
What should be the union priorities? ® Advocacy ® Protection ® Organising ® Improvement ® Others? ?
How to deliver the rightsbased approach? ® Advocacy= influence, shape policies ® Protection= know you right, legal aid, undocumented ® Improvement= Collective bargaining ® Others? ?
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