enforcement of the legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers while engaged in their work, in accordance with article 3, paragraph 1 (a), of ILO Convention No. 81 (1947) concerning Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce. Horizontal effect and enforcement of equal labour rights 64. Article 25 provides for equality in treatment regarding remuneration and other conditions of work between nationals and migrants and also guarantees this right in private employment contracts, notwithstanding the status of the migrant worker. Article 25, paragraph 3, states that employers shall not be relieved of any legal or contractual obligations, nor shall their obligations be limited in any manner by reason of any irregularity in the stay or employment of migrant workers. States parties shall provide for appropriate sanctions for employers who derogate from the principle of equality of treatment in private employment contracts with migrant workers in an irregular situation, and ensure that those migrant workers have access to labour courts or other judicial remedies when their rights are violated and without fear of being deported (art. 83).35 To give effect to this provision, the Committee is of the view that States parties shall also put in place an effective monitoring system for workplaces, especially in industries known to be employing migrant workers in an irregular situation. Right to join trade unions 65. The right to organize and to engage in collective bargaining is essential for migrant workers to express their needs and defend their rights, in particular through trade unions.36 Article 26 of the Convention sets out the right of all migrant workers to join trade unions and other associations protecting their interests. Article 26 does not provide for protection of the right to form trade unions. This provision, however, read together with other international human rights instruments, may create broader obligations for States parties to both instruments. For example, article 2 of ILO Convention No. 87 (1948) concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights to Organise, and article 22, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both apply to migrant workers in an irregular situation. Article 26 also protects their right to participate in meetings and activities, and to seek the assistance, of trade unions and any other associations established in accordance with law. States parties shall ensure these rights, including the right to collective bargaining, encourage self-organization among migrant workers, irrespective of their migration status, and provide them with information about relevant associations that can provide assistance.37 66. With regard to article 26, paragraph 2, the Committee notes that similar limitations can be found in article 8, paragraph 1(a), of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in article 22, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It refers to the jurisprudence of the relevant treaty bodies for the purposes of interpreting what constitute permissible restrictions under article 26, paragraph 2, of the Convention. 2. Right to social security 67. With respect to social security, article 27, paragraph 1, of the Convention provides that all migrant workers and members of their families shall have the right to the same treatment granted to nationals of the State of employment, insofar as they fulfil the requirements provided for by the applicable legislation of that State and the applicable bilateral and multilateral treaties. When a State party enacts legislation providing for the payment of a social benefit, whether conditional or not on the prior payment of contributions, and if the migrant worker concerned fulfils the requirements provided for in such legislation, it cannot arbitrarily exclude him or her from that benefit or limit his or her access to such benefit, as the prohibition of discrimination applies to the right to social security. Accordingly, any distinction based on nationality or migration status must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim under the Convention, be necessary in the specific circumstances, and be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued.38 While States parties enjoy a certain 35 Ibid., paras. 49-50. 36 Ibid, para. 45. 37 Ibid, paras. 46-47. 38 See note 19 above, Koua Poirrez v. France, Application No. 40892/98 (30 December 2003), para. 39. 71