The International Labour Organisation has demanded for social justice for 150 million migrant workers worldwide.
Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, made the call in a statement to mark the World Day of Social Justice with the theme: “Workers on the Move: the Quest for Social Justice”.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Day of Social Justice is celebrated on Feb. 20 annually.
According to Ryder, fair treatment for the world’s 150 million migrant workers is in everyone’s interest, and requires labour migration to be well-governed and effective.
He said: “As social justice is a cornerstone of lasting peace and prosperous coexistence.
“On this World Day of Social Justice, we are focusing on the world’s 150 million migrant workers, many of whom face exploitation, discrimination, violence and lack even the most basic protections.
“This is particularly true for women who make up 44 per cent of migrant workers. Most migration today is linked directly or indirectly to the search for decent work opportunities.
“But many migrant workers end up trapped in jobs with low pay, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, often in the informal economy without respect for their labour and other human rights.
“They often have to pay high recruitment fees to get a job on an average over a year’s wages, there is high vulnerability to forced labour and child labour.’’
The ILO boss said migrant workers like all workers were entitled to fair treatment as this was necessary to preserving the social fabric of our societies and to sustainable development.
He explained that if labour migration were well-governed, fair and effective, it could deliver benefits and opportunities for migrant workers, their families and their host communities.
He said this could balance labour supply and demand, help develop and transfer skills at all skill levels, contribute to social protection systems, foster business innovation, and enrich communities both culturally and socially.
Ryde said: “Good governance will foster strong cooperation across migration corridors and regions.
“It should be guided by international labour standards, in particular the fundamental principles and rights at work and the relevant ILO and UN conventions.
“It should also be guided by ILO’s Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration and the General Principles, and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment offer further guidance.
“The ILO is encouraging the adoption of fair labour migration governance frameworks at all levels; global, regional and national.
“These include a comprehensive, integrated and whole of government approach that engages labour ministries together with business, and employers’ and workers’ organisations, those on the frontlines of labour markets.’’
He noted that in 2016 the United Nations General Assembly decided to develop a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to improve the governance of migration.
He said this would also address the challenges and strengthen the contribution of migrants to sustainable development.
He said: “We can choose to make labour migration a win-win situation for migrants and host communities.
“How the international community develop and help member states implement this ‘Compact’ will be instrumental in determining the future course of labour migration.’’
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