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.

Marking International Migrants Day in Asia

  1. Thailand

    Journey of Voices: an exhibition celebrating International Migrants Day

  2. Lao PDR

    Screening of the film "My Name is Saray" on national TV stations

  3. Malaysia

    The "Migration Works" campaign will celebrate the contributions migrant workers make to Malaysia through art

  4. Myanmar

    Fairs and events to inform potential and returned migrants workers

  5. Viet Nam

    Trade unions’ power to protect migrant workers celebrated

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.

Latest news

  1. © Steve McCurry 2015

    No one should work this way

    Ending the abuse of domestic workers in Asia

    22 December 2014

  2. © Dominic Chavez/World Bank 2015

    International Migrants Day

    Joint statement by ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

    18 December 2014

  3. © Nadia Bseiso / ILO 2015

    Slideshow - International Migrants Day

    A day in the life of a migrant worker

    18 December 2014

  4. Labour migration and Entrepreneurship

    Skills for a brighter future

    18 December 2014

List all

UN-wide cooperation

  1. ILO and the Global Migration Group

    Improving global migration governance

    The Global Migration Group (GMG) consists of 16 international organizations that work in cooperation to address migration issues, worldwide. This year the ILO assumes chairmanship.

Focus on

  1. Social protection for migrant workers

    Although the 105 million migrant workers worldwide contribute fully to the economies of their host and home countries, migrant workers are among the most excluded from even basic coverage by social protection instruments and schemes, in particular undocumented migrant workers. Key principles are laid down in the ILO Conventions and Recommendations which make provision for the social security rights of migrant workers and their families.