Context: The 4th edition of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers was released in December 2024. International Migrants not only address the labour market shortages in host nations but also send remittances to their home countries, thus making significant contributions to the world economic growth.
Relevance of the Topic Prelims: Organisation based questions on UN and ILO; Basic idea of trends of international migration and their contribution.
Major Highlights of Report:
- Global migrant estimates: The report estimates approximately 169 million international migrant workers recorded in 2022.
- This accounts for 4.7% of the global workforce.
- Note: Global workforce stands for the number of people employed or unemployed, but are willing to work.
- Incremental trend: The estimate of migrant workers has increased from previous years, i.e., 164 million in 2017 and 150 million in 2013.
- Regional distribution: Over 68.4% of all migrants are in high-income nations like Europe, North America and Arab states.
- Gender disparity: The report has highlighted the evident gender disparity in the migrant labour force
- Only 38.7% of female migrants are employed as compared to the 61.3% of male migrants.
- Females are predominantly employed in the service sector, that too in the sectors associated with the care economy.
- Sectoral distribution of migrants: Migrant population dominates the service sector i.e., 68.4% migrants are employed in the service sector.
- Female migrants dominate the service sector 80.1% females as compared to 60.8% male counterparts.
- Comparison with the non-migrants:
- The service sector is out-numbered by migrants.
- The manufacturing sector is marginally dominated by migrants.
- The agriculture sector is predominantly handled by non-migrants.
Challenges highlighted by the Report
- Gender-bias: The data of the report highlights the gender based biases, as most female migrants are part of the care economy. Also, the unemployment rate is higher in females as compared to males.
- Economic vulnerability: The report also highlights the low wages and exploitative conditions of laborers. Also, the lack of social security leaves the labour in distress during any negative event.
- Barriers in employment: Qualification and skill deficit along with the language barriers hinders the labour to adjust in the country of migration.
- Social isolation: Migrants often face Xenophobia, racism and social exclusion that further marginalises them in the host societies.
- High cost of migration: Migrants often pay exorbitant fees to recruiters leading to debt and financial burdens due to which workers fall victim to trafficking and forced labour. E.g., the Kafala System of Arab nations.
About International Labour Organisation
- International labour organisation (ILO) is a specialised United Nations agency that focuses on promoting social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.
- Objectives of ILO:
- Promote decent work for all
- Advance social and economic justice
- Establish international labor standards
- Advocate for workers’ rights, social protection and inclusive employment opportunities.
- Major publications: World employment and social outlook; Global Wage Report; Global estimates on International Migrant Workers; Unemployment Rate Index.
- India and ILO:
- ILO was established in 1919, where India was one of the original members. Narayan Malahar Joshi, founding member of All India Trade Union Congress, joined it. (Social Service League of 1911 is also associated with NM Joshi)
- ILO has eight core conventions, of which India has not-ratified two conventions:
- No. 87: Freedom of Association and Protection of Rights to Organise Convention
- No. 98: Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.
- In 2017, India ratified ILO Conventions No. 138 and 182, signaling its legal commitment to the elimination of child labour.