Labour Migration: Protection, Gender, and Development

On October 3rd 2008, the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) and the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) participated in this seminar organized by UNITAR, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
In view of this year’s agenda of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) that will he held in Manila from 29-30 October 2008, the seminar focused its attention on the interlinkages between migration, development and the human rights and protection of migrants.

The discussions seemed to rest on three key assumptions and arguments. Firstly, migrants who are better protected will contribute more to development in both their host and home countries. Second, evidence suggests that different groups of migrants face different degrees of vulnerability, linked to gender differences, as well as their legal and occupational status, which must be addressed. Thirdly, there is widespread consensus that the best way to afford protection to migrants is to ensure that migration can happen in a legal and orderly manner .

In a special presentation, Ms. Elena Gastaldo, who works at the ILO office for the United Nations in New York and is in charge of all the social related issues, human rights and humanitarian affairs, touched and expanded these issues. She outlined eight main components of the migration policy agenda required to ensure that migration benefits host and home countries and the migrants themselves:

• A standards-based foundation for comprehensive national migration policies.

• An informed and transparent migration policy and administration.

• Institutional mechanisms for dialogue, consultation and cooperation

• Enforcement of minimum employment conditions norms in all sectors of activity.

• Gender sensitive migration measures.

• A Plan of Action against discrimination and xenophobia . 

• Linking Migration and Development in Policy and Practice.

• International Consultation and Cooperation.

Ms. Gastaldo reminded the participants that existing international law established three fundamental notions regarding migrants:

• Equality of treatment between regular migrant workers and nationals in employment.

• International Labour Standards apply to all workers. 

Core universal human rights apply to all migrants, regardless of status.