Labour migration

AFP/OREN ZIV
Today, there are an estimated 232 million migrant workers around the world. Globalization, demographic shifts, conflicts, income inequalities and climate change will encourage ever more workers and their families to cross borders in search of employment and security. Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired during their migration experience.

Yet, the migration process implies complex challenges in terms of governance, migrant workers' protection, migration and development linkages, and international cooperation. The ILO works to forge policies to maximize the benefits of labour migration for all those involved.

Project in the spotlight

  1. Migrant Domestic Workers

    Global Action Programme on Migrant Domestic Workers and their Families

    This project seeks to promote the human and labour rights of migrant domestic workers worldwide by addressing the challenges that make them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Policies and programmes

  1. Good practices database

    Our database provides a non-exhaustive list of current good practices implemented at the country level.

Policies and programmes

  1. Good practices database

    Our database provides a non-exhaustive list of current good practices implemented at the country level.

Latest news

  1. Labour Migration

    In their own voices

    02 March 2015

  2. Video

    Stories from street children in Lebanon

    16 February 2015

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In the spotlight

  1. Discussion paper

    Promoting decent work for migrant workers

    This paper proposes a number of indicators to measure target 8.8 on “protecting labour rights and promoting safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment” of the Sustainable Development Goals. It was presented at the Coordination Meeting on International Migration, New York, 12-13 February 2015. 

International Migrants Day 2014

  1. New study sheds light on plight of working street-based children in Lebanon

    16 February 2015

  2. Ending the abuse of domestic workers in Asia

    22 December 2014