Migration
Migrant tragedies highlight need for policy shift, says ILO chief
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has said the recent deaths of hundreds of migrants seeking to reach Europe highlight the urgent need for a major shift in migrant policy. He spoke at meeting in Geneva of government, workers’ and employers’ representatives.
TRANSCRIPT:
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has called for a profound shift in migration policy, to avert tragedies such as those in which hundreds of migrants, most from Africa, died in desperate bids to reach Europe.
“I think the types of tragedies that have been taking place in Lampedusa, off Malta, and more recently in Niger, will certainly concentrate our minds on the need for further progress.
International labour migration is one of the migration policy areas where shortcomings in international policy have, I think, been most visible and most palpable, and where the ILO would argue that concerted policy action is amongst the areas where it is most needed.”
Guy Ryder was speaking during a five-day conference at the ILO that brought together representatives of governments, workers and employers to discuss labour migration, including the need for effective protection for migrant workers.
“We need improved governance of labour migration as a clearly stated goal. That will entail safe, ethical recruitment practices, ensuring effective matching of labour supply and demand - also though skills recognition and certification - and ensuring the portability of social security benefits.”
A report presented at the meeting points out that migrant workers play an important role in labour markets and contribute to the economies and societies of both their home and destination countries.
Addressing the delegates, William Lacy Swing, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, said migration was inevitable, necessary and desirable.
“Large-scale immigration is inevitable, given the demographic figures we know, it is necessary if jobs are going to be filled, skills are going to be available and economies are to flourish, and it is absolutely desirable if we have the right policies and implement them in a humane, orderly and safe manner.”
Delegates at the Geneva also looked at areas in which the ILO can follow up on the outcome of the UN General Assembly's High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development-
Patrick Moser at the ILO
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has called for a profound shift in migration policy, to avert tragedies such as those in which hundreds of migrants, most from Africa, died in desperate bids to reach Europe.
“I think the types of tragedies that have been taking place in Lampedusa, off Malta, and more recently in Niger, will certainly concentrate our minds on the need for further progress.
International labour migration is one of the migration policy areas where shortcomings in international policy have, I think, been most visible and most palpable, and where the ILO would argue that concerted policy action is amongst the areas where it is most needed.”
Guy Ryder was speaking during a five-day conference at the ILO that brought together representatives of governments, workers and employers to discuss labour migration, including the need for effective protection for migrant workers.
“We need improved governance of labour migration as a clearly stated goal. That will entail safe, ethical recruitment practices, ensuring effective matching of labour supply and demand - also though skills recognition and certification - and ensuring the portability of social security benefits.”
A report presented at the meeting points out that migrant workers play an important role in labour markets and contribute to the economies and societies of both their home and destination countries.
Addressing the delegates, William Lacy Swing, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, said migration was inevitable, necessary and desirable.
“Large-scale immigration is inevitable, given the demographic figures we know, it is necessary if jobs are going to be filled, skills are going to be available and economies are to flourish, and it is absolutely desirable if we have the right policies and implement them in a humane, orderly and safe manner.”
Delegates at the Geneva also looked at areas in which the ILO can follow up on the outcome of the UN General Assembly's High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development-
Patrick Moser at the ILO