Migrant Workers ‘Indispensable’ to Global Economic Growth: UN Labour Agency
Geneva, 16 December 2024
The UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) released a report today highlighting the indispensable role of migrant workers in the global economic system. The report, titled “Migrant Workers: Essential Contributors to Global Economic Growth,” argues that the contributions of migrant workers are often overlooked and underappreciated.
According to the report, there are an estimated 169 million migrant workers worldwide, representing 4.9% of the global workforce. These workers come from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds and contribute to a wide variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The report highlights the positive impact that migrant workers have on the economies of both their home and host countries. For example, migrant workers help to fill labour shortages in developed countries, boost economic activity, and generate tax revenue. In their home countries, migrant workers often send remittances to their families, which can contribute to poverty reduction and economic development.
However, the report also acknowledges the challenges that migrant workers face, including discrimination, exploitation, and xenophobia. The ILO calls for governments to take steps to protect the rights of migrant workers and to ensure that they have access to decent work.
“Migrant workers are essential to the functioning of our global economy,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “They make a vital contribution to our societies and economies, and we must do more to ensure that their rights are protected.”
The report makes a number of recommendations to governments, including:
- Ratifying and implementing international labour standards on migrant workers
- Developing national policies and strategies to promote the rights of migrant workers
- Investing in programmes to support migrant workers and their families
- Strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and trade unions
The ILO also calls for greater cooperation among countries to address the challenges faced by migrant workers and to ensure that they can benefit from the opportunities that migration can offer.
Additional Information
- The ILO’s report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from a variety of sources, including government statistics, surveys, and research studies.
- The report is part of the ILO’s Wideranging Action Programme on the Promotion of Decent Work for Migrant Workers adopted in 2016.
- The ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes decent work for all.
Migrant workers ‘indispensable’ to global economic growth: UN labour agency
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Top Stories a new article on 2024-12-16 12:00 titled “Migrant workers ‘indispensable’ to global economic growth: UN labour agency”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
19