International Labour Conference, 92nd Session, 2004 Report VI Towards a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy Sixth item on the agenda International Labour Office Geneva ISBN 92-2-113043-6 ISSN 0074-6681 First edition 2004 The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. ILO publications can be obtained through major booksellers or ILO local offices in many countries, or direct from ILO Publications, International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. Catalogues or lists of new publications are available free of charge from the above address, or by email: [email protected] Visit our web site: www.ilo.org/publns Formatted by TTE: reference Confrep-Report VI-2004-03-0012-1 Printed in Switzerland ATA Contents Page Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1. Labour migration in a globalizing world .......................................................... 3 1.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 3 1.2. Growth of labour migration................................................................................ 5 1.3. Driving forces.................................................................................................... 8 1.4. Diversity of migrant flows .................................................................................. 9 1.5. Irregular migration............................................................................................. 11 1.6. Future flows of migrants.................................................................................... 12 (a) Decent work deficit.................................................................................... 13 (b) Economic disparities ................................................................................. 13 (c) Population density..................................................................................... 14 (d) The demographic deficit ............................................................................ 14 1.7. The decline of bilateral migration management................................................. 15 1.8. Preliminary conclusions .................................................................................... 16 Chapter 2. Migration and its consequences..................................................................... 17 2.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 17 2.2. Impact of migration on countries of origin.......................................................... 18 (a) Reducing population pressure and unemployment.................................... 19 (b) Emigration of skilled persons – The brain drain......................................... 19 (c) Social costs............................................................................................... 23 (d) Flows of remittances ................................................................................. 23 (e) Transnational communities and home country development ..................... 25 (f) Return migration........................................................................................ 26 (g) Migration and trade ................................................................................... 27 (h) Migration and overall economic performance ............................................ 28 2.3. Impact of immigration on destination countries ................................................. 30 (a) Impact on employment and wages............................................................ 31 (b) Fiscal impact of immigration ...................................................................... 34 (c) Social consequences of immigration ......................................................... 36 2.4. Preliminary conclusions .................................................................................... 40 Chapter 3. Conditions of work and treatment of migrant workers..................................... 41 3.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 41 3.2. Scope and criteria of working conditions........................................................... 42 3.3. Factors affecting conditions of work .................................................................. 42 (a) Evidence of disparities .............................................................................. 42 (b) Reasons for differences in working conditions........................................... 44 iii Towards a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy Page 3.4. Conditions of work in selected sectors and occupations .................................. 48 (a) Agriculture................................................................................................. 48 (b) Construction.............................................................................................. 53 (c) Manufacturing: Sweatshops and migrant workers ..................................... 55 (d) Services .................................................................................................... 56 3.5. Most vulnerable groups of workers .................................................................. 58 (a) Women domestic workers ......................................................................... 58 (b) Migrant workers in irregular situations ....................................................... 60 (c) Trafficked persons..................................................................................... 62 3.6. Occupational safety and health issues.............................................................. 64 3.7. Integration of migrant workers in host countries................................................ 67 3.8. Preliminary conclusions .................................................................................... 69 Chapter 4. International regulation of migrant workers and migration .............................. 71 4.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 71 4.2. Current international regulation......................................................................... 72 Instruments developed by the ILO .................................................................... 72 Instruments developed by the United Nations................................................... 81 Instruments developed by the WTO.................................................................. 83 Regional agreements........................................................................................ 83 Bilateral agreements......................................................................................... 84 4.3. Relevance and impact of international regulation.............................................. 85 Current situation ............................................................................................... 85 Protecting the rights of specific groups of migrant workers................................ 86 The impact of international regulation ............................................................... 92 4.4. Preliminary conclusions .................................................................................... 95 Chapter 5. ILO activities with governments and social partners....................................... 99 5.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 99 5.2. A core agenda .................................................................................................. 99 (a) Building the knowledge base..................................................................... 100 (b) Promotion of norms................................................................................... 101 (c) Social dialogue.......................................................................................... 101 (d) Technical cooperation ............................................................................... 101 (e) Capacity building....................................................................................... 103 (f) Special action programmes ....................................................................... 103 (g) Building international cooperation.............................................................. 104 5.3. An integrated programme within the ILO........................................................... 105 5.4. Preliminary conclusions .................................................................................... 107 Chapter 6. Managing migration ....................................................................................... 109 6.1. Introductory remarks......................................................................................... 109 6.2. Choosing