About our Work

Employment generation is a primary driver for poverty reduction and sustainable development and growth in the South. But, the economic conditions that prevail in much of the South due to both domestic and external causes have effectively limited access to livelihood and employment opportunities that could ensure decent standards of living. The lack of employment opportunities generates both economic and social tensions and in many instances is among the major “push” factors for international migration flows in both South-South and South-North directions.

The International Labour Organization (ILO)  formulates international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations setting minimum standards of basic labour rights: freedom of association, the right to organize, collective bargaining, abolition of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, and other standards regulating conditions across the entire spectrum of work related issues. As the global governance body with respect to the setting of international norms and standards relating not only to labour and employment conditions but also to other issue areas that are relevant to ensuring fair labour and employment conditions, the ILO’s activities need to be actively monitored and engaged in.

With respect to labour, the Programme will focus on:

1. Understanding the governance structures and processes of the ILO and other international agencies that are relevant to this issue are with a view to making them more representative and transparent
2. Suggesting changes in their structures and policies to enable them to better support and promote equitable and sustainable development patterns in the South
3. Increasing the capacity and ability of the South and of global civil society to participate in decision-making processes and to evaluate the sustainable developmental impact of international institutions’ projects and policies

Global labour migration – the cross-border movements of people in search of livelihood opportunities – is an important aspect of labour issues. In addition to the ILO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is another global organization engaged in issues relating to global labour migration. Its work encompasses a wide range of migration management activities throughout the world. The IOM also plays a major role in the development of international migration policy and norms, which in turn could have an impact on national immigration policies and their treatment of migrant workers.

Labour, migration and the development of the South are closely intertwined. The policies, standards and recommendations of global application that may be developed by the ILO, the IOM or the UN will have an impact on the way that migration flows are managed and the extent to which the human rights of migrant workers and their families are protected in the sending, transit and destination countries. Issues relating to the global governance of international labour and migration should, therefore, be addressed as part of the global governance work.

In particular, this Programme aims at:

1. Understanding the governance structures and processes of the IOM and other international agencies (including the UN) that are relevant to this issue are with a view to making them more representative and transparent, to Southern governments, labour unions, and global civil society<
2. Highlight the link between migration and development.
3. Proposing changes in their structures and policies to enable them to better support and promote equitable and sustainable development patterns in the South
4. Increasing the capacity and ability of the South and of global civil society to participate in decision-making processes and to evaluate the sustainable developmental impact of international institutions’ projects and policies
5. Promoting a process of dialogue, collaboration and partnership with the ILO, the IOM, Southern governments, labour unions, civil society, academe, and other institutions with respect to the protection of the human rights of migrant workers through the implementation of existing international instruments within the ILO and UN systems relating to migrant workers’ rights.

Publications