Published on 29 November 2024

Labour migration and decent work for migrants

Labour migration is a critical driver of economic resilience, growth and prosperity. Among the estimated 281 million international migrants, nearly 60% are labour migrants.

Migrant workers positively contribute to the economic performance of destination countries. This is true both for migrants working in high and low wage sectors. The latter often fill gaps in the labour market thereby allowing nationals to move into better-paid jobs. Countries of origin benefit from remittances, skills transfers and increased trade as a result of closer linkages.

However, migrant workers, especially women, face a number of significant risks such as abusive recruitment practices, unsafe journeys, exploitation in the workplace, physical and mental mistreatment, lack of access to social protection, forced labour and human trafficking. Due to the inflicted social costs and human suffering, unsafe and irregular labour migration remains a key obstacle to sustainable development.

SDC Engagement

The SDC pursues projects along the entire migration cycle. It strengthens framework conditions for safe, orderly and regular labour migration to increase the benefits of migration for all. It supports partner countries to enforce legislation and policy frameworks ensuring decent work conditions of migrant workers and protects migrant workers from exploitation and abuse by promoting pre-departure orientation, fair and ethical recruitment practices, skills development and protection services, including access to justice.

The SDC also facilitates the socio-economic inclusion of migrants and forcibly displaced persons in their countries of destination and when returning home by increasing their employability, promoting (social) entrepreneurship and facilitating access to the labour market. It works with the private sector/employers, as well as with NGO partners alongside governments.

Flagship Programmes