Weissbrodt, David; Rhodes, Justin --- "United Nations treaty bodies and migrant workers" [2014] ELECD 188; in Chetail, Vincent; Bauloz, Céline (eds), "Research Handbook on International Law and Migration" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014) 303

Book Title: Research Handbook on International Law and Migration

Editor(s): Chetail, Vincent; Bauloz, Céline

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9780857930040

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: United Nations treaty bodies and migrant workers

Author(s): Weissbrodt, David; Rhodes, Justin

Number of pages: 26

Abstract/Description:

In her remarks at the Fourth Global Forum on Migration and Development, Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that migration had become so widespread that '[m]any countries are now simultaneously countries of origin, transit and destination'. She noted that a number of migrants benefit from and contribute to 'economic growth and human development both in countries of origin and destination' but that many others are still forced to 'endure human rights violations, discrimination, and exploitation'. The 214 million individuals who currently live outside their country of origin comprise three per cent of the world's population. The International Labour Organization estimates that 90 per cent of these persons are migrant workers (105 million) and members of their families (almost 88 million). The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Migrant Workers Convention) defines a migrant worker as 'a person who is to be engaged or has been engaged in remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national'. This definition of a migrant worker does not exclude people who lack proper compensation for their work in the country where they live; i.e., the host country. These individuals include undocumented migrants and victims of trafficking who are exploited by unscrupulous recruiters and employers and who are compelled to work in slave-like conditions.