Practical guide on developing labour migration policies

This guide is intended to provide practical and succinct guidance on the process to be undertaken by ILO constituents governments, workers’ organizations, employers’ organizations, in consultation with civil society organizations and other relevant partners, during the course of developing or revising a national labour migration strategy, policy and/or action plan.

Decent work and social justice: The key to achieving safe, orderly and regular migration

Short document outlining the ILO's priorities for action in Latin America and the Caribbean, including promoting the integration of the "Fair Migration Agenda" into strategies to strengthen labour migration governance and working with governments, workers' organisations, employers' organisations and employment agencies, with the objective of ensuring that recruitment ―including international recruitment― is carried out in a fair, transparent and ethical manner, and with full respect for relevant international labour standards, as well as the ILO's General Principles and Guidelines for Fair Recruitment.

Frequently asked questions on fair recruitment

The ILO has developed this series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on fair recruitment challenges to respond to questions commonly received by constituents. The FAQs are designed to provide user-friendly answers to technical questions related to the implementation of fair recruitment in practice.

How digital technology can protect migrant workers from forced labour and exploitation

Digital technology can be a game changer in migrant worker protection. But where to start? What digital products are already out there? How to make sure that technology delivers real benefits? A new research under the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative provides answers.

This infographic report features tips and advice on how to design, develop and promote digital products for migrant workers. It is based on the ILO research “Use of digital technology in the recruitment of migrant workers” (2021).

Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage

The 2021 Global Estimates reveal that, at any time during the reporting period, 49.6 million people were victims of modern slavery, either forced to work against their will or to live in a marriage without their consent.

Among the victims of modern slavery, forced labour accounts for 27.6 million and forced marriage for 22 million. According to the same report, a significant portion of forced labour cases can be attributed to abuses that occur during the recruitment phase. This report therefore calls for the promotion of fair and ethical recruitment to protect workers from abusive and fraudulent practices during the recruitment and placement process, including the charging of exorbitant recruitment fees and related expenses by unscrupulous recruitment agencies and labour brokers.

Temporary labour migration: Two studies on workers’ perspectives and actions

This report gathering two studies on workers organizations’ experience with temporary labour migration is part of a larger ILO project to gather knowledge on temporary labour migration.

The views on temporary labour migration vary greatly, including among ILO constituents. In light of the various concerns that the complex dynamics of temporary labour migration raise, it is crucial for the Office to capture constituents’ perspectives to enrich the debate. This document is an input from the Workers’ side to this process.

Illustrated guidelines for gender-responsive employment intensive investment programmes

This guide is the outcome of a study carried out on gender and public works, and has been developed using evidence from 43 EIIPs implemented in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean between 1995 and 2013.

Good practices include experiences in fair recruitment in Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Indonesia, Haiti, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

 

Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers in an Irregular Situation and Preventing Irregular Labour Migration: A Compendium

The Compendium presents the situations that can lead migrant workers into irregularity, the rights of migrant workers in irregular situations, and the relevant international standards and good practice. It highlights laws, policies and practices that can help prevent irregular labour migration, and facilitate respect and promotion of the human rights of all migrant workers, regardless of status”. The Compendium is not intended to be exhaustive but is instead a living document that will be regularly updated with new examples and experiences. It seeks to encourage the sharing of good practices by states, social partners, and other actors concerned and to contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular migration.
Some of the references will be further updated in early 2022.

ITC-ILO Online Course: Trade Union Manual to Promote Migrant Workers’ Rights and Foster Fair Labour Migration Governance

Introduction to the course

International migration has been on the rise within Africa. In 2019, there were 26.3 million international migrants in Africa - an increase of 17.2 million since 2010. Movement across national borders in search of decent work is one of the key drivers of international migration. Throughout the migration and recruitment process, migrant workers are exposed to undue hardships and abuses in the form of low wages, poor working and living conditions, limited access to social protection, denial of freedom of association and workers’ rights, discrimination as well as social exclusion. Migrant workers’ contributions to the economies of their host and origin countries many times remains unaccounted for – yet migrant workers generate tremendous benefits to both.

In this context, there is a need therefore for a comprehensive and balanced approach to labour migration governance. Well-governed labour migration can contribute to sustainable development for countries of origin, transit and destination, and can provide benefits and opportunities for migrant workers and their families. In this regard, the ILO in collaboration with the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) and the African Union (AU), developed the Trade Union Manual to promote migrant workers’ rights and foster fair labour migration governance in Africa intended to achieve this objective. The self-guided toolkit complements the ILO training programmes and capacity building activities for Trade Unions aiming at strengthening their role in promoting a rights-based approach to labour migration.

Who attends this course?

The course is designed for officials, policy-makers and practitioners of public institutions and ministries dealing with migration, trafficking and/or forced labour; representatives of employers' and workers’ organizations; representatives of public and private employment agencies; staff of NGOs and civil society organizations; experts from international agencies and other key actors concerned with these issues.

Objectives of the toolkit

Participants will learn about:

• Regional policy, legal frameworks and programmes on labour migration
  governance in Africa
• International instruments and international labour standards relevant to migrant workers
• The importance of social dialogue in labour migration governance
• Trade union initiatives to promote fair recruitment, and gender-responsive policy implementation
• The role of trade unions in Africa and abroad and recommendations in terms of providing support to migrant workers
• Trade union international good practices

Methodology and certification

The course consists of a number of online modules offered via the ITCILO e-Campus online platform-

This course provides a flexible learning journey as it is completely asynchronous, composed of several self-guided modules.

At the end of course and after successfully completing the final quiz, participants will be granted a certificate of participation.

Structure

The toolkit is composed of 14 training modules, each module has examples of international good practices and highlights the role that workers’ organizations play in each thematic area.

 

Download the PDF version of Trade Union Manual to Promote Migrant Workers' Rights and Foster Fair Labour Migration Governance

 

Module 1.

ILO’s Mandate, AU on Labour Migration, Tripartism and Social Dialogue, Data and Trade Union Networks in Africa on Labour Migration

Module 2. 

Global Policy Frameworks guiding labour migration governance in Africa

Module 3.

Global Instruments on the protection of migrant workers (UN and ILO Instruments)

Module 4.

Regional policy, legal frameworks and programmes on labour migration governance in Africa                                     

Module 5

Gender equality and women’s empowerment in labour migration governance

Module 6.

Women migrant domestic workers’ particular challenges in working in private households. The need for targeted TU actions

Module 7.

Enhancing fair recruitment practices and regulations

Module 8

Labour exploitation and abuse of migrant workers

Module 9

Skills partnerships, migrant workers’ skills development, portability and recognition, certifications of skills and qualifications

Module 10.

Organizing migrant workers: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining, key obstacles and good practices

Module 11.

Promoting social protection of migrant workers

Module 12.

Working and living conditions of migrant workers particularly working time, wages, occupational safety and health, violence and harassment, HIV/AIDS

Module 13.

Advocating for equality of treatment and opportunities, and contributing to labour market integration and combating discrimination in diverse multi-ethnic workplaces and multilingual contexts

Module 14.

Impact of COVID-19 on labour migration

 

Start the course here.

 

Trade Unions Manual to Promote Migrant Workers’ Rights and Foster Fair Labour Migration Governance in Africa

International migration has been on the rise within Africa. In 2019, there were 26.3 million international migrants in Africa - an increase of 17.2 million since 2010. Movement across national borders in search of decent work is one of the key drivers of international migration. Throughout the migration and recruitment process, migrant workers are exposed to undue hardships and abuses in the form of low wages, poor working and living conditions, limited access to social protection, denial of freedom of association and workers’ rights, discrimination as well as social exclusion. Migrant workers’ contributions to the economies of their host and origin countries many times remains unaccounted for – yet migrant workers generate tremendous benefits to both.

In this context, there is a need therefore for a comprehensive and balanced approach to labour migration governance. Well-governed labour migration can contribute to sustainable development for countries of origin, transit and destination, and can provide benefits and opportunities for migrant workers and their families. In this regard, the ILO in collaboration with the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) and the African Union (AU), developed the Trade Union Manual to promote migrant workers’ rights and foster fair labour migration governance in Africa intended to achieve this objective.

The toolkit is composed of 14 training modules, each module has examples of international good practices and highlights the role that workers’ organizations play in each thematic area.