Latin America and the Caribbean develop regional labour migration strategy

ILO NEWS (Lima) - The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Regional Strategy on Labour Migration and Human Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023-2030, , was launched on 15 May. Developed by 37 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, with technical support from the ILO, the strategy addresses migrant labour rights, upskilling, and ways for governments to harness migration for national development.

"Labour is the backbone of migration. The lack of decent work pushes millions of people around the world to look for better opportunities in other countries; in transit, work is essential to continue the journey, and upon arrival at the destination, it is crucial for the socio-economic integration of these workers and their families. Given that the vulnerability of this population is high and the potential for their integration for the development of countries is extraordinary, the ILO proposes a strategy that guarantees their labour rights and, at the same time, boosts the productivity of countries," said Ana Virginia Moreira, Regional Director of the ILO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 2021 there were 5.9 million migrant workers in Latin America and the Caribbean, 40 per cent of whom were women. The numbers are increasing.

Moreira also highlighted the contributions of migrant workers to host countries by filling vacant positions, creating jobs, and contributing to social security and tax systems. She also noted that migrants often contribute to their countries of origin by send remittances back.

To channel the response to the challenges and opportunities of labour migration, the strategy sets out five thematic areas of action:

• Strengthening labour migration governance and policy coherence.
• Implementing the principles and guidelines for fair recruitment.
• Promoting public policies to create jobs and reduce informality.
• Measures to promote labour mobility, training and recognition of skills and qualifications.
• Improving public social protection systems and policies for the inclusion of migrant and refugee workers.

"The strategy was devised collectively by governments, employers and workers. It has set goals, but it is also flexible enough to adapt to changes in migration, and to the specific contexts of each country and sub-region within the continent,” explained Francesco Carella, ILO Regional Specialist on Labour Migration and Human Mobility.

According to a 2021 ILO report, 5.9 million of the world’s total 169 million migrant workers live in Latin America and the Caribbean. Migrant workers are three times more likely to be victims of forced labour than non-migrants. The regional strategy includes specific preventative measures to ensure fair recruitment to address this risk.

"Forced labour obliges people to work subject to violence or intimidation, or by more subtle means such as debt bondage, withholding identity documents or threatening to report migrant workers to immigration authorities; and it violates every right and dignity of the individual. The ILO Principles and Guidelines for Fair Recruitment are the most effective way to prevent forced labour and human trafficking. This priority, which is also among the objectives of the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, is one of the five thematic areas of this Regional Strategy", added Carella.

The ILO estimates that forced labour of migrant workers generates illegal profits of US$ 37 billion worldwide, a figure that almost equals the entire GDP of Paraguay.

To pay recruitment fees and related expenses, migrant workers worldwide spend on average about four months' wages, according to the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD), of which the ILO is a member.

For interviews: [email protected]

Watch the event