Safety and health for migrant workers

Migrant workers can be at high risk of exposure to workplace hazards and face additional work-related risk factors and unfavourable social determinants of health including employment and wage discrimination, poor working and living conditions, lack of access to social protection and language and culture barriers. These work-related risks can result in higher incidence of occupational injuries and work-related diseases among migrant workers, compared with non-migrant workers.

International Labour Standards provide the protection to all workers, irrespective of migrant status, from sickness, disease and injury arising from their employment.

International labour standards

• C155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)
• R164 - Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981 (No. 164)
• C187 - Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187)
• R197 - Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 (No. 197)
• C97 - Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97)
• C143 - Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143)

Key resources

• New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
  Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 September 2016
• Promoting the health of refugees and migrants
  70th World Health Assembly
• Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
  The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) offers the international community the opportunity to improve workplace productivity and deliver decent work outcomes for migrant and national workers.
• Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
  UN Human Rights Council 23rd session