ASEAN Trade Union Council, South Asian Regional Trade Union Council (SARTUC), African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), International Trade Union Confederation Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP); Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) as implementing signatories, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) as observer signatory came together in a historic event to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ensuring effective protection of migrant workers’ rights.
The agreement marks a firm commitment by the six trade union organisations to cooperate and work together to defend, protect and promote the rights of migrant workers. Despite the progress made to date, the working and living conditions of these workers remain disastrous and precarious. This revised and renewed Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates the willingness to continue to seek better protection for this vulnerable category of workers.
The signatories of the agreement recognise that migration is a historical and ongoing phenomenon that brings benefits to countries of origin, transit and destination, as well as to migrants and their families. They underline the importance of migration for economic purposes and its contribution to human dignity and a decent life when managed effectively.
Particular attention is paid to women and young people, who make up a growing majority of migrant workers. These groups are often marginalised and exploited, and it is essential to give them a voice and representation in the workplace. The agreement also recognises the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the food, energy and financial crises, as well as the war in Ukraine and climate change.
To address these issues, the signatories have agreed to implement several key actions. First, they commit to ratifying and implementing the relevant international labour standards for the protection of migrant workers. They will also advocate legislation in line with these standards and effective enforcement of laws and policies.
In addition, the organisations will work to build the capacity of migrant workers by promoting their empowerment through education and training. Initiatives will be put in place to promote fair recruitment and to combat exploitation and abuse. Trade unions will also advocate improved international cooperation and a decent work agenda.
Here are the 10 actions the agreement will address:
– Ratification and implementation of international labour standards;
– Advocating legislation in line with international labour standards;
– Capacity building for migrant workers;
– Contributing to the advancement of fair recruitment;
– Advocating improved and inclusive international cooperation;
– Promoting the decent work agenda;
– Contributing to the implementation of measures to respond to structural crises;
– Promoting effective social dialogue;
– Defending the rights of women migrant workers;
– Advocating the collection, analysis and use of data.
The MoU will be implemented according to the following guiding principles: consistency, rights-based approach and gender-sensitive programme, inclusion, solidarity, participation, transparency and documentation. The signatory organisations are responsible for implementing these actions, in partnership with other organisations.
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