2024 - Gender and migration

Integrating the gender dimension in the governance of labour migration

Background

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Climate change has been called the single greatest risk for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. There is increasing evidence of climate change becoming an additional driver of migration, both internal and across borders. In the case of slow onset events, climate variables interact with other key drivers, including lack of decent work and employment opportunities, weak governance, and intercommunity violence, etc. The sectors that employ the majority of workers are also some of the most vulnerable to climate change. When livelihoods are compromised and if survival is at stake, people migrate in search for better opportunities. This is an increasing trend, particularly among young persons.In the context of climate change, migration is most often viewed as an adaptation failure. However, migration can be an important adaptive response for people facing slow onset environmental changes or disasters. ILO’s past experience has shown that labour migration when governed in accordance to international labour standards can play an important role in the development of both countries of origin and destination.Labour migration can be used to boost resilience in communities through the generation of remittances, the transfer of knowledge and skills and the development of networks that can lead to entrepreneurship and new markets. If migrants crossing borders due to climate-related factors can do so through safe and regular channels and can access format employment opportunities, they are more likely to contribute positively to their home country’s development. At the same time, migration may reduce population pressure on climate-stressed environments and could benefit destination countries by helping to fill labour shortages. Well-managed and rights-based labour mobility and adaptation policies can provide an opportunity to boost resilience and enhance development while reducing the risk of future displacement.Addressing decent work deficits and their interaction with climate-related impacts as root causes of migration can help make migration a choice, not a necessity. The ILO is well positioned to work alongside states and regional groups to consider the role of labour migration within climate adaptation strategies, and in contributing to a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies. The ILO Multilateral Framework for labour migration also offer guidance and advice to constituents on the many facets of labour migration and could serve as a tool for the promotion, ratification and implementation of policies.The ILO has also participated in international efforts through UNFCCC and the Conferences of Parties (COP). In addition, a recent MOU was signed with UNCCD to combat desertification and migration related challenges. ILO is also taking part in Task Force on Displacement under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage. In addition, ILO is contributing to Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) through implementation of regional and integrated projects and plans of action.To fully leverage the development of decent work opportunities abroad, a growing number of countries have begun establishing national labour migration policies or action plans that reflect the needs of populations heavily impacted by climate change variables. The ILO provides technical support to those countries to meet their development objectives through training, advice, and support for implementation of interventions to promote decent work opportunities both at home and abroad.A combined action is necessary to address climate change related issues. The development of green job opportunities development can be pursued alongside interventions to improve the governance of labour migration and the protection of migrant workers to mitigate climate change related adverse effects. ILO labour migration branch is currently working along with green jobs and other technical branches on climate change and labour migrating related projects.

Objectives

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English Version : The course examines the different policy options for extending social security access and portability to migrant workers and their families in order to realises numerous international policy frameworks’ priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Version française: Le cours examine les différentes options politiques pour étendre l'accès à la sécurité sociale et la portabilité aux travailleurs migrants et à leurs familles afin de réaliser de nombreuses priorités de cadres politiques internationaux tels que les objectifs de développement durable et le Pacte mondial pour des migrations sûres, ordonnées et régulières

Content

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The course will be divided in three live sessions covering the following topics:

• Principles and limits of the extension of SP for MW and refugees, including International Labour Standards relevant to extending social security to migrant workers (1st session)
• Policy options available to States to extend social protection to migrant workers and refugees (types of agreements and other measures) (2nd session)
• Particular attention to different vulnerable groups (3rd session)

Le cours sera divisé en trois sessions en direct couvrant les sujets suivants:

• Principes et limites de l'extension de la protection sociale aux MW et aux réfugiés, y compris les normes internationales du travail relatives à l'extension de la sécurité sociale aux travailleurs migrants (1ère session)
• Options politiques à la disposition des États pour étendre la protection sociale aux travailleurs migrants et aux réfugiés (types d'accords et autres mesures) (2e session)
• Une attention particulière aux différents groupes vulnérables (3e session)

Agenda

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Week 2, morning sessions

Women’s labour migration is an important aspect of labour mobility in the region and can be a crucial source of empowerment for women with women migrant workers making vital social and economic contributions to their communities and countries of origin and destination. However, through the migration cycle, women migrant workers face the risk of violence and trafficking, and discrimination that limits their access to fair recruitment and decent work, with little access to protection and support services. The positive experiences and contributions of women migrant workers can only be fully ensured if their safety, labour and human rights are fully protected.

By the end of this course, participants will have: - analysed the main trends in labour migration, at the global and regional level, through a gender-informed perspective - reviewed key strategies and options to integrate a gender perspective in the governance of labour migration - assessed pathways for ensuring adequate protection to women migrant workers with a view to guaranteeing the safe and fair enjoyment of their rights

The course will be divided in three live sessions covering the following topics: - Labour migration though a gender perspective - The case of women migrant domestic workers - Experience from the regions

Week 2, morning sessions

Women’s labour migration is an important aspect of labour mobility in the region and can be a crucial source of empowerment for women with women migrant workers making vital social and economic contributions to their communities and countries of origin and destination. However, through the migration cycle, women migrant workers face the risk of violence and trafficking, and discrimination that limits their access to fair recruitment and decent work, with little access to protection and support services. The positive experiences and contributions of women migrant workers can only be fully ensured if their safety, labour and human rights are fully protected.

By the end of this course, participants will have: - analysed the main trends in labour migration, at the global and regional level, through a gender-informed perspective - reviewed key strategies and options to integrate a gender perspective in the governance of labour migration - assessed pathways for ensuring adequate protection to women migrant workers with a view to guaranteeing the safe and fair enjoyment of their rights

The course will be divided in three sessions covering the following topics: - Labour migration though a gender perspective - The case of women migrant domestic workers - Experience from the regions

Week 2, morning sessions