The growing impact of migration on the world of work is testing current labour migration governance systems. If the right policies are in place, well-governed labour migration can be of benefit to both the origin and destination countries, as well as the migrants themselves. However, compared to other policy areas, the challenge is that labour migration needs to respond to immediate labour market demands that cannot be met domestically, as well as to support long-term labour force dynamics. Considering these complexities, it often ends up competing with other policy goals.

In this context, there is an increasing need for the harmonization and coordination of employment, education/training and labour migration policies. The objective of policy coherence is particularly important in the area of migration, due to its close links with other policy fields, as well as its multidisciplinary and transnational nature. Policy coherence can ensure better protection of migrant workers’ rights, reducing abuse and exploitation in recruitment, and adequately matching jobs with skills, leading to a greater potential for the positive contribution of labour migration to development.