Setting the standards on migrants
Leaving home in search of work can lead to vulnerability. Crossing borders adds further complications. Very often migrants seek the help of job brokers or agents to secure them employment in a new place, and while many agents provide a valuable service, some abuse their intermediary role.
This ILO project has taken the initiative to examine the present situation of recruitment practices in the GMS.
What has become clear to us is that formal migration channels aren’t always the most attractive option for migrants due to the fact they are often expensive, time consuming and restrictive. Many migrants have said the costs of migrating for work through formal channels outweigh the benefits at destination.
Working with Governments, Employers’ and Workers’ Organizations we have developed a set of guidelines for improved policy and practices in migrant recruitment, which were endorsed by a tripartite body in the GMS, and published in early 2008.
The guidelines then went from paper to practice and a series of workshops was developed to train government officials, recruitment agencies, union officials and business leaders.
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