Migrant workers are facing unfair working conditions

LabourTime: Migrant workers are facing unfair working conditions in both developed and developing countries. The ILO General Manager report in Equality at work said.

The report which will be discuses during the 100th Session, next June, for the International labour conference explains how the financial crisis affected on migrant workers in their host countries, and what kind of discrimination they are facing.

The following paragraphs taken from the executive summary of ILO GM report "Equality at work: The continuing challenge"

In many countries migrant workers make up 8 to 20 per cent of the labour force, and in certain regions the figure is significantly higher.

Research shows consistently that they face widespread pervasive discrimination in access to employment, and many encounter discrimination when employed. Migrant workers have also been particularly affected by the economic crisis, with reduced employment or migration opportunities and increased xenophobia, a deterioration in working conditions and even violence. Unfair working conditions are faced by migrants in both developed and developing countries.

Some countries exclude migrant workers from social insurance programmes. Others only allow access for migrants to short-term programmes, such as health care, but deny them long-term portable benefits such as old-age pensions. Countries may allow access to long-term benefits but not permit portability between countries, which in turn discourages return migration.

In some cases, discriminatory tendencies have recently been aggravated by hostile political discourse, and there is a risk that this may lead to exclusion, rejection and expulsion of migrant workers.

Social tensions and hardening attitudes towards migrants – as with any social group – can result in systematic and widespread discrimination. Populist policies can foster greater xenophobia and discrimination directed towards migrants.

There is a need for prompt and comprehensive responses to emerging trends in discourse and policies which can harm existing and future efforts to ensure equality of treatment and employment opportunities for all. With increased economic insecurity for the entire population, minorities and foreign or foreign born workers run the risk of becoming scapegoats.

The remedies needed include strengthening anti discriminatory measures that have been identified by the United Nations conferences; attention to political rhetoric to avoid stigmatization and xenophobic acts; macro- and microeconomic policies to maintain and create a job-rich recovery; and an active role for employers’ and workers’ organizations in leading debate and action in the right direction and ensuring that racism and violence remain unacceptable.