1. ILO’s Approach to Labour Migration
A Trade Union Training on Rights-based Approach to Labour Migration Lomé, Togo from 27 June to 1 July 2016
ILO’s Approach to
Labour Migration

2. Outline of Presentation
Sources of ILO approach:
Standards
Decent Work Agenda
Plan of Action for Migrant Workers 2004
ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration
Key Areas of Work
Strengthening our Approach to Development
ILO Governing Body Decision
ILO’s Role in the International Debates on Labour Migration
Tripartite Technical Meeting on Labour Migration
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

3. Sources of ILO Approach: Standards
ILO has constitutional mandate to protect “the interests of workers when employed in countries other than own.”
International labour standards apply to all migrant workers unless otherwise stated:
Eight ILO Fundamental Rights Conventions: abolition of forced labour; elimination of child labour; trade union rights; and non-discrimination and equality in employment and occupation.
Standards with specific provisions on migrant workers – e.g. Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), Social Security Standards of general application (e.g. labour inspection).
Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97) and Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions Convention, 1975 (No. 143)
ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration

4. Sources of ILO Approach: Social Dialogue and Tripartism
ILO is unique because of its tripatite governance system where workers’ and employers’ organizations have decision-making power along with governments.
As a result, the decisions taken are more likely to reflect the realities of the world of work.
Social dialogue and tripartism pervade all areas of ILO’s work, including on labour migration:
Social partners need to be involved in the formulation and implementation of labour migration policies at the global, regional, national and local levels
ILO capacity building on labour migration extends to workers’ and employers’ organizations as well as Ministries of Labour

5. Sources of ILO Approach: Decent Work Agenda
ILO action is based on four strategic objectives through which the Decent Work Agenda is expressed, and which are inseparable, interrelated and mutually supportive
Promoting and realizing ILS and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work;
Creating greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income;
Enhancing the effectiveness and coverage of social protection for all;
Strengthening tripartism and social dialogue by strengthening the capacities and knowledge base of social partners.
Gender equality and non-discrimination are cross-cutting issues
The integrated approach also relates to the way ILO action is carried out in terms of e.g. application of standards, capacity development, technical assistance and cooperation, and improving the knowledge base, etc.
2008 Social Justice Declaration for a Fair Globalization

6. Plan of Action for Migrant Workers 2004
Plan of Action to be carried out by ILO and its Constituents in partnership with other International Organizations:
Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration
Wider application of international labour standards
National implementation of ILO Global Employment Agenda
Capacity development, awareness raising, technical assistance
Strengthening social dialogue
Improving information and knowledge base on labour migration, conditions of migrant workers, and measures to protect rights
Follow-up of plan of action and ILO participation in relevant international initiatives in international migration

7. ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration
ILO Plan of Action for Migrant Workers
To develop “a non-binding multilateral framework for a rights-based approach to labour migration, which takes account of labour market needs, proposing guidelines and principles for policies based on best practices and international standards
Multilateral Framework
Adopted by Tripartite Meeting of Experts in Nov/Dec 2005 and approved for publication and dissemination by ILO Governing Body in March 2006
Good example of tripartite international policy coordination on labour migration

8. Key Areas of Work Technical cooperation projects
Implemented in collaboration with ILO tripartite constituents and other stakeholders (e.g. NGOs, migrants’ associations) where appropriate
Knowledge development/research
Participation in global debates on international migration
Building partnerships:
Global Migration Group (GMG)
Regional
National

9. Strengthening our Approach to Development
Migration has received renewed attention within the UN System and among ILO Constituents
Strong political commitment has been expressed by the Guy Ryder, ILO’s Director-General and by recent decisions of the ILO Governing Body
Increasing well-being in a globalized world, improving the functioning of labour markets, improving productivity and keeping a competitive edge will all involve dealing positively and constructively with issues of migration and diversity.
Guy Ryder, Director-General, ILO

10. ILO Governing Body Decision
Nov. 2012, ILO Governing Body decided on a more systematic involvement of the ILO and its constituents in international debates on migration and development
GB called upon both the Office and the Organization to advocate the significance of the Decent Work Agenda in these debates and their follow-up, including convening technical meeting on labour migration
Overarching Objectives
Take stock of ILO’s response to the changing landscape of international labour migration, including the office’s progress on the promotion and application of the Multilateral Framework;
Assess the outcomes of the UN GA High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and considering possible areas for follow-up; and
Agree on an ILO strategy on international labour migration for the coming years.

11. ILO’s Role in the International Debates on Labour Migration
To improve understanding of the role of labour migration in development.
Facilitate exchange of best practices for improved governance of migration, including social dialogue and tripartite participation.
Participate in the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).
Knowledge-sharing with UN partners and ILO constituents for UN High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development.
ILO chaired the Global Migration Group in 2014

12. Tripartite Technical Meeting on Labour Migration
Held from 4-8 November 2013 at ILO Headquarters
Thematic Areas covered:
Labour migration in the context of international debates on migration and development and post-2015 UN development framework
Effective protection of migrant workers, particularly low and middle-skilled workers
Labour market assessment needs, skills recognition and certification
International cooperation and social dialogue for well-governed national and international labour migration and regional mobility

13. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Goal 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
8.8 – Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
Goal 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countries
10.7 – Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
Key aspects of Decent Work are widely embedded in the targets of many of the other 16 SDGs

14. The End
Thank You!