Extending social protection to migrant workers in Gulf countries: State of play and next steps for reform?
This event examined social protection challenges faced by migrant workers in the Gulf countries, and provided insights on legal provisions and potential avenues for reform.
Migrant workers encounter various obstacles and difficulties worldwide when it comes to accessing social protection.
Despite the existence of international social security standards, many migrants are left with inadequate social protection coverage due to discriminatory legislation, inadequate monitoring and enforcement, and practical barriers.
The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) face similar challenges in extending social protection to migrant workers.
In this online event, the focus examined social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf countries. The event provided valuable insights into the current legal provisions, recent trends, and potential avenues for progressive reform. Given that extending social protection coverage is a challenge on a global scale, this discussion was relevant and beneficial for actors working in related fields beyond the GCC region.
The event was hosted by ODI, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Regional Office for Arab States and with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It built on ODI’s work with ILO on the project Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers: Exploratory Research and Policy Dialogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
Arabic interpretation were provided during the event.
Despite the existence of international social security standards, many migrants are left with inadequate social protection coverage due to discriminatory legislation, inadequate monitoring and enforcement, and practical barriers.
The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) face similar challenges in extending social protection to migrant workers.
In this online event, the focus examined social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf countries. The event provided valuable insights into the current legal provisions, recent trends, and potential avenues for progressive reform. Given that extending social protection coverage is a challenge on a global scale, this discussion was relevant and beneficial for actors working in related fields beyond the GCC region.
The event was hosted by ODI, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Regional Office for Arab States and with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It built on ODI’s work with ILO on the project Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers: Exploratory Research and Policy Dialogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
Arabic interpretation were provided during the event.
Speakers:
- Jessica Hagen-Zanker, Senior Research Fellow Migration, ODI (Chair)
- Khalil Buhazaa, Labour Affaires Manager, the Council of Ministers of Labour in GCC states
- William Gois, Regional Coordinator, Migrant Forum in Asia
- Luca Pellerano, Senior Social Protection Specialist, ILO
- Lea Bou Khater, Social Protection Technical Officer, ILO
- Christy Lowe, Senior Research Officer, ODI
- Patricia Barandun, Head of Section Migration and Forced Displacement, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
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