Side Event for the International Migration Review Forum, 4-8 May 2026

Empowerment and Rights Protection of Women Migrant Workers in the Care Economy

Although estimates show that 381 million jobs exist in the care economy worldwide, the sector continues to be a growth sector. Care work is critical to the functioning of economies and society globally, however, it is often not well captured in economic pictures and remains undervalued and invisible. It has crucial yet often overlooked interlinkages with labour migration and gender equality. Concurrent demographic, socio-economic and environmental transformations are increasingly influencing both the demand for and availability of workers in the care economy.

Migrant workers form a critical component of the global care workforce. ILO estimates from 2022 indicate that international migrants are more likely to work in care jobs compared to the non-migrant population. Notably, among international migrants employed in the care economy, 60 per cent are woman migrants. This is in contrast to all other branches of economic activity where 35 per cent are women and 65 per cent are men. The data underscores the importance of female migrants in meeting the global demand for care workers.

This side event will draw upon the experience of UN member states, international migrant worker unions, civil society organizations and international organisations to share good practices and discuss remaining challenges in the practical protection of women migrant workers in the care economy.

To learn more about the work done by ILO on migrant care workers with EU and GIZ support, please see: