Labour Migration Policies and the Challenges Faced by Low-Skilled Migrant Workers
Abstract:
Labour migration policies in destination countries frequently consider and facilitate the immigration of highly skilled workers. Low-skilled migrant workers may experience greater challenges in labour market integration, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. A greater need for coherence among labour migration, employment and education and training policies has been identified as a critical factor for improving labour migration governance and skills portability. The active engagement of employers’ and workers’ organizations, along with governments, in labour migration policy design and implementation may ensure more effective and coordinated policy approaches to address future skills demand and supply for migrant labour. The concrete measures for forecasting and meeting future demand for migrant labour will depend on the specific country context, institutional capacities and policy attention, as well as the effective collaboration of governments and social partners.
Introduction
The issue of labour migration policies in destination countries has gained significant attention, particularly with regards to the immigration of highly skilled workers. However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by low-skilled migrant workers, especially in terms of their integration into the labour market. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Coherence among Labour Migration, Employment, and Education and Training Policies
A critical factor in improving labour migration governance and skills portability is the need for greater coherence among labour migration, employment, and education and training policies. By aligning these policies, it becomes possible to address the challenges faced by low-skilled migrant workers and enhance their integration into the labour market.
Engagement of Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations
To ensure more effective and coordinated policy approaches, it is essential to actively engage employers’ and workers’ organizations, along with governments, in the design and implementation of labour migration policies. This collaboration can help address the future skills demand and supply for migrant labour.
Concrete Measures for Forecasting and Meeting Future Demand
The specific measures for forecasting and meeting future demand for migrant labour will vary depending on the country context, institutional capacities, and policy attention. It is crucial for governments and social partners to collaborate effectively in order to develop and implement these measures.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers.
- Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of occupational injuries and diseases among migrant workers.
-
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
- Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in the country of destination.
-
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
- Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.
Explanation:
1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth is addressed in the article as it discusses the challenges faced by low-skilled migrant workers in labor market integration. The need for coherence among labor migration, employment, and education and training policies is highlighted as a critical factor for improving labor migration governance and skills portability. This aligns with the goal of promoting decent work and economic growth for all workers, including migrant workers.
2. Target 8.8 under SDG 8 can be identified based on the article’s content. It focuses on protecting labor rights and promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers. The article emphasizes the importance of ensuring effective and coordinated policy approaches to address future skills demand and supply for migrant labor, which requires protecting their rights and ensuring their safety in the workplace.
3. Indicator 8.8.1 mentioned in the article can be used to measure progress towards Target 8.8. It refers to the frequency rates of occupational injuries and diseases among migrant workers. By tracking these rates, policymakers can assess the effectiveness of measures taken to protect the safety and well-being of migrant workers in the labor market.
4. The table presenting the findings from analyzing the article:
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers. | Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of occupational injuries and diseases among migrant workers. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in the country of destination. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships. |
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Source: knomad.org
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