|
Sustainable Labour Migration
Background
In 2003 the Institute embarked on a new project on international migration, following a request to become involved in the preparations for the general discussion on migrant workers to be held during the 2004 session of the International Labour Conference (ILC). Together with the ILO's International Migration Programme (MIGRANT), the Institute identified the search for an acceptable global framework for promoting mutually beneficial forms of labour migration as a topic where an IILS contribution would be particularly appropriate.
It is hoped that work in this area will lead to a more active search at an international level for sustainable migration policies. The concept of "sustainability" includes the avoidance of disruptive social consequences in origin and destination societies. This might mean that migration policy does not have adverse effects on the employment or incomes of the less skilled in host societies, or create severe problems of integration, racism and xenophobia. In the societies of origin, "sustainable" migration does not undermine development, weaken education or health services, or cause other forms of social malaise.
Means of action
The Institute project titled "Sustainable Labour Migration" combines research in a strict sense with diverse policy dialogue activities, such as workshops and brainstorming meetings of academics and practitioners on selected topics; consultations with other international organizations and (research) institutions; and special lectures on migration to stimulate debate. The project will result in a number of publications.
Past activities
In 2003, the work concentrated on two "types" of labour migration: (a) the migration of highly skilled people; and (b) temporary migration. These are currently the fastest growing regular migration flows, the new migration channels. Two expert meetings were organized with the purpose of developing practical ideas and proposals for international action that would bring about a more equitable sharing of the gains from migration.
The proposals made during the meeting on migration of the highly skilled essentially centred around four ideas: the facilitation of the international mobility of human resources ("brain circulation"); compensation (e.g. through the establishment of a human resources replenishment fund); better management of human resources; and the promotion of ethical international recruitment practices. The meeting highlighted that the complex effects of the international mobility of professionals call for systemic policy responses from sending and receiving countries.
The meeting on temporary migration had for purpose to assess temporary foreign worker programmes which seem to proliferate since the 1990s; examine links with the illegal employment of foreign workers; and explore what can be done at programme/country level as well as through bi- and multilateral cooperation to bring migrants into a protected status while keeping temporary programmes viable both economically and politically. Developments in different world regions were analysed and compared.
Activities 2004-05
Sustainability can only be attained if the interests of all actors are considered and respected. In 2004-05 the project will look at the role of non-State actors and how they interlink with State institutions (in a wide sense of the term "institutions", i.e. including sets of rules and regulations). What is the role of migrants themselves; of establishments of higher learning; and of private recruitment agencies, transportation businesses, etc. when managing migration cooperatively and sharing gains from migration so as to decrease global inequalities? Policy dialogue meetings will be organized to examine this question, and research and other activities will also focus on these issues.
A first meeting of experts titled "Migration and Development - Working with the Diaspora", held on 3 and 4 May 2004, was co-organized with the German development cooperation agency GTZ. It explored the role of diaspora communities in bringing about development in their countries of origin; and how can international cooperation contribute to a better use of diaspora resources. Detailed information about this meeting and its results can be found at : www.gtz.de/migration-and-development.
Under the heading "Universities as Immigration Gatekeepers" the Institute is analyzing the role that institutions of higher learning play in migration policy today and the implications for both migrant receiving and sending countries.
Not enough is known about the private interests that move people across borders today. Have recent private initiatives to organize the migration process worked in the interest of the migrants? Are they favourable to development? If not, how can efficiency and equity be improved? A policy dialogue titled "Merchants of Labour" held on 28 and 29 April 2005 addressed these and other questions. It is planned to publish the findings of this meeting in late 2005.
Publications
Discussion papers
Martin, Philip L. Merchants of labor: Agents of the evolving migration infrastructure, Decent Work Research Programme Discussion Paper, No. 158, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, 2005.
Kuptsch, Christiane. "L’Europe de l’immigration sélective : les nouveaux micro programmes en Allemagne et au Royaume-Uni", Paper presented at 4èmes Entretiens de l’Emploi – Migrations internationales et gestion de l’emploi, anpe, Paris, 23-24 March 2005.
Kuptsch, Christiane. "Students and Talent Flow - The case of Europe: from castle to harbour?" Paper presented at Conference on Competing for Global Talent, Singapore Management University, Singapore, 13- 14 January 2005.
Martin, Philip L. Migration and development: Toward sustainable solutions, Decent Work Research Programme Discussion Paper, No. 153, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, May 2004.
Kuptsch, Christiane. "The Protection of Illegally Employed Foreign Workers: Mission Impossible?" Intereconomics, Vol. 39, No. 1, January/February 2004.
Papers presented at policy dialogue on temporary migration
Böhning, Roger. The protection of temporary migrants by conventions of the ILO and the UN.
Boswell, Christina & Thomas Straubhaar. The back door: Temporary migration and illegal employment of workers.
Cholewinski, Ryszard. Temporary migration in Europe in the past and present: General features and protection afforded.
Dito, Mohammed. The paradox of “temporary migration” in the GCC Countries.
Faist, Thomas. Protecting domestic vs. foreign workers: The German experience during the 1990s.
Kuptsch, Christiane. Foreign students in Europe: Between red carpet and red card.
Martin, Philip L. Temporary foreign workers in the US.
Pumares, Pablo. The back door: temporary migration and the illegal employment of foreigners – The case of Spain.
Taran, Patrick. International standards and temporary migration in the 21st Century: Rights-based law or market law?
Special Lectures on Migration
Boswell Christina, Knowledge transfer and migration policy making, Special lecture on migration, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, October 2004.
Martin, Philip L. Managing labour migration: Temporary worker programs for the 21st century, Special lecture on migration, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, September 2003.
Martin, Philip L. Highly skilled labour migration: Sharing the benefits, Special lecture on migration, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, May 2003.
Martin, Philip L. Sustainable migration policies in a globalizing world, Special lecture on migration, International Institute for Labour Studies, Geneva, March 2003.
| 
