ICFTU welcomes the ILO's migrant action plan

ICFTU welcomes the ILO's new action plan for migrants

Brussels, 18 June 2004 (ICFTU OnLine): Today in Brussels, ICFTU welcomed the ILO's adoption of a new action plan designed to provide a fair deal for the 86 million migrants working in the global economy. Migration is increasingly becoming an issue shrouded in controversy whilst proving to be an ever-important aspect of economic globalisation. This new plan aims to ensure that migrant workers are fully covered by international labour standards as well as national social and labour laws.

The plan was adopted following a two-week debate during which trade unions fought hard to convey that migration should not solely be seen as an economic or security issue, and that there should be a greater focus on the rights of migrant workers. The unions also pushed hard for migration to be included in the wider debate on development. Underlining the need for greater integration and better trade union organisation of all migrant workers, the international labour movement emphasised the need to also deal with the issues surrounding the feminisation of migration.

"The trade union movement hopes that this new action plan will serve as a concrete tool to promote greater protection of all migrant workers, both men and women. Despite the fact that migrants play an essential role in today's globalised economy, they continue to be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and many forms of discrimination. This plan should help to promote decent work and respect for the human rights and trade union rights of migrant workers," said Sharan Burrow, president of Australian trade union ACTU, president of the ICFTU Regional Organisation for Asia and the Pacific (APRO) and spokesperson for workers at the general discussions on migrants held at the International Labour Conference.

"The ICFTU is firmly committed to playing its part in implementing this plan and will continue to campaign tirelessly for the ratification and application of ILO Conventions 97 and 143," said Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the ICFTU, adding that the issue of migration will appear high on the agenda at the next ICFTU Congress to be held in December.

Read spotlight interview of Linda Chavez (AFL-CIO): http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991220221

Read spotlight interview of Manolo Abella (ILO): http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991220222

Read Trade Union World Briefing "Undocumented migrants: http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991220141

Read Trade Union World Briefing "Brain drain: http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991219313

The ICFTU represents 151 million workers in 233 affiliated organisations in 152 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a member of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org

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