Latin America and the Caribbean develop a regional strategy on labour migration until 2030

ILO NEWS (Lima) - How to ensure that the labour rights of migrant workers are respected, that the private sector has access to the labour it requires, and that governments can harness migration for national development. These are the challenges that the Regional Strategy on Labour Migration and Human Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023-2030, officially launched today and developed by 37 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, with technical support from the ILO, aims to address. 

"Labour is the backbone of migration: the lack of decent work pushes millions of people around the world to look for better opportunities in other countries; in transit, work is essential to continue the journey, and upon arrival at the destination, it is crucial for the socio-economic integration of these workers and their families. Given that the vulnerability of this population is high and the potential for their integration for the development of countries is extraordinary, the ILO proposes a strategy that guarantees their labour rights and, at the same time, boosts the productivity of countries", said Ana Virginia Moreira, Regional Director of the ILO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.   

Likewise, Moreira highlighted the contributions of migrant workers to host countries by filling vacant positions due to the lack of candidates, by creating jobs, by contributing to social security and tax systems, as well as to countries of origin by sending remittances or by bringing new skills upon return, among other contributions. 

Five thematic areas

To channel the response to the challenges and opportunities of labour migration, the countries have set out the strategy into five thematic areas of action: strengthening labour migration governance and policy coherence; implementing the principles and guidelines for fair recruitment; promoting public policies to create jobs and reduce informality; measures to promote labour mobility, training and recognition of skills and qualifications; and improving public social protection systems and policies for the inclusion of migrant and refugee workers. 

According to Francesco Carella, ILO regional specialist on labour migration and human mobility, "the strategy has been built collectively by the actors in the world of work ―governments, employers and workers― and, although it has a set route, it is flexible enough to adapt to the constantly changing situation of migration, and to the specific contexts of each country and sub-region within the continent". 

Fair recruitment to prevent human trafficking and forced labour of migrant workers

According to a 2021 ILO report, of the 169 million migrant workers in the world, 5.9 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 1.9% of people working in the region. 

One of the greatest risks for migrant workers is that the principles of fair recruitment are not respected and that they become victims of trafficking and forced labour. Therefore, the Regional Strategy includes specific preventative actions. 

ILO estimates on forced labour published in 2022 indicate that worldwide, 15% of adults in forced labour are migrants. Migrants are also three times more likely to be victims of forced labour than non-migrants.   

"Forced labour obliges people to work subject to violence or intimidation, or by more subtle means such as debt bondage, withholding identity documents or threatening to report migrant workers to immigration authorities; and it violates every right and dignity of the individual. The ILO Principles and Guidelines for Fair Recruitment are the most effective way to prevent forced labour and human trafficking; this priority, which is also among the objectives of the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, is one of the five thematic areas of this Regional Strategy", said Carella. 

Illegal profits from forced labour 

As shown in the ILO report Profits and Poverty: The economics of forced labour, published in March 2024, forced labour of migrant workers generates illegal profits of US$ 37 billion worldwide, a figure that almost equals the GDP of Paraguay: 85% is from unpaid wages and 15% from recruitment fees and other recruitment-related expenses (medical, insurance, training, travel and accommodation, among others). 

To pay recruitment fees and related expenses, migrant workers worldwide spend on average about four months' wages, according to the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD), composed of the ILO, the World Bank and other international agencies. 

More information on the ILO Regional Strategy on Labour Migration and Human Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023-2030: https://www.ilo.org/publications/ilo-regional-strategy-labour-migration-and-human-mobility-latin-america-and  

For interviews: prensa@ilo.org

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