International labour migration and development: The ILO perspective

The ILO’s concern with international migration stems from its mandate on labour issues. It is specifically concerned with international labour migration – that is, international migration as it relates to workers. Thus, as early as 1919, the ILO expressed the need to protect migrant workers by including in the Preamble to the Constitution as one of the objectives of the Organization, “the protection of the interests of workers when employed in countries other than their own.”

The ILO’s mandate, articulated in the Decent Work agenda, includes respect of rights at work and international labour standards, employment promotion, social protection and social dialogue. The ILO approach to international labour migration combines interests in ensuring global economic growth and employment, including through international mobility of labour, and the protection of migrant workers. Migrant workers are protected by rights, international labour standards, and other economic and social policies. Social dialogue in the formulation and implementation of international and national action and policies is promoted.