Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers The Role of National Human Rights Institutions Facts and trends involving migrant workers Over the past 50 years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of people migrating between countries, to pursue work, to make a better life for their family or to seek protection. During this time, the number of people living outside their country of origin has almost tripled, rising from 75 million in 1960 to 214 million people in 2010.4 While the total number of migrants has grown rapidly, and is expected to continue to do so in the years ahead, migration has generally kept pace with global population growth. Migrants made up 3.1 per cent of the global population in 2010, a slight increase from 3.0 per cent in 2005.5 According to data compiled by the ILO in International Labour Migration – A Rights-based Approach: • migrant workers and members of their families accounted for approximately 90 per cent of international migrants in 2010 • there were around 105 million economically active migrant workers in 2010 • women made up almost half (49 per cent) of all migrant workers in 2010 • remittances in 2009 were estimated to be USD 441 billion, of which over 70 per cent (USD 316 billion) went to developing countries • around 57 per cent of all migrants live in high-income countries, up from 43 per cent in 1990 • around one third of all migration from developing countries may be irregular. FORCES DRIVING INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION The interaction of different social, economic and environmental factors is expected to continue to drive international labour migration in the coming decades, including: • the “pull” of changing demographics, such as ageing populations, and demand for labour in highincome countries • the “push” of low wages and limited opportunities in less developed countries • established networks in other countries, based on family, culture and history.6 TRENDS IN LABOUR MIGRATION Almost half of all migrant workers today are women. Women migrant workers are employed in skilled positions (e.g. teachers, nurses and social workers) and less-skilled positions (e.g. domestic or care work, garment manufacturing, “entertainment” and agriculture). They can be especially vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation and abuse in countries of destination because of their gender and their status as migrant workers. However, migration can also be an empowering experience for many women. It can provide numerous benefits to them personally, as well as to their families and their countries of origin. It is therefore important “that policy-makers become more aware of the significant role that women play in labour migration and … ensure that gender aspects of labour migration are mainstreamed into the relevant policies developed both in countries of origin and destination”.7 4 International Labour Migration – A Rights-based Approach; ILO; 2010; p. 115. 5 Ibid; p. 115. 6 Handbook on Establishing Effective Labour Migration Policies in Countries of Origin and Destination; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Office; 2006; p. 18. 7 Ibid; p. 20. viii | Facts and trends involving migrant workers