A RECORDING OF THIS SESSION IS AVAILABLE HERE.SeSsion organized by the Working Group on business and human rights in collaboration with Migrant Forum in Asia and Migrant-Rights.orgBrief description of the session:
The session brings together the private sector, civil society organizations, government, and human rights advocates to discuss the specific vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, particularly in the context of their mobility. It will focus on challenges faced by migrant workers in times of Covid-19 in two settings: (i) internal migrants in a country such as India, and (ii) cross border migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The session aims to identify lessons drawn from this crisis, discuss rights-based solutions to address concerns related to migrant workers, and discuss the role of governments, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and the private sector in ensuring that the rights and welfare of migrant workers are protected in times of Covid-19 and beyond.
Key objectives of the session:- To understand better the vulnerabilities of migrant workers both within a country and across borders
- To explore practices that the State and the private sector can adopt to protect the rights of migrants in times of crisis
- To discuss lessons learned and good practices in addressing issues of internal and cross border migrants
- To explore ways forward in ‘building back better’ post-pandemic
Key questions:- What are the lessons that we can learn in how governments addressed issues of migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and what could be the impetus for change?
- How do we ensure labour standards are not a casualty in times of crisis?
- How can states and businesses collaborate to build back better and prevent exploitation of migrant workers in supply chains?
- What role could NHRIs play in safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, including in cross-border cases?
Background to the discussion:
Dwindling sustainable livelihoods is driving millions away from their homes, often from rural areas, into potentially more lucrative jobs in urban and semi-urban areas. Urban poverty, however, looks quite different from the neediness they face at home. Separated from extended family, migrants live on the margins of these societies, without sufficient access to the limited public welfare (including Public Distribution Systems) that may exist at home. In the middle of the crisis, India also weakened its labour code to create a more investment-friendly environment and in this process making workers even more vulnerable to exploitation. India has one of the largest numbers of internal migrants, emigrants and immigrants. Every single one of these groups faced acute vulnerabilities during the pandemic. Several thousand internal migrants walked hundreds of kilometers back home with all their belongings strapped to their backs, as without jobs it was unaffordable for them to continue living in urban areas.
Asian and African migrant workers in the GCC region were among those heavily affected by the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands lost their jobs and were put on forced leave without pay. At the height of the quarantine restrictions, their mobility was restricted in multiple ways – unable to change employers, accessing justice mechanisms, unable to return home as airports were closed, and reluctant to return home as it would mean losing due wages and entitlements. There have been some significant reforms to the Kafala (sponsorship) system, but the power equation remains predominantly in favour of employers. Migrants were excluded in the responses developed by countries of destination to address the pandemic. As borders opened up and governments started repatriating workers, many were sent home without their salaries or end of service benefits.
The session will help inform the WG’s project ‘
Business and human rights: towards a decade of global implementation' (also known as “UNGPs 10+ / Next Decade BHR”). Centred around the upcoming tenth anniversary of the UNGPs in 2021, the project is taking stock of practice to date, identifying gaps and challenges, and developing a vision and roadmap for scaling up implementation of the UNGPs over the course of the next decade.
