Labour migration and mobility

This paper is part of the IOM Migration Research Leaders Syndicate’s contribution toward the Global Compact for Migration. It is one of 26 papers that make up a consolidated Syndicate publication focused on proposing ways to address complex and pressing issues in contemporary international migration. The Migration Research Leaders Syndicate, convened as part of IOM’s efforts to extend policy and technical expertise in support of the Global Compact for Migration, comprises senior researchers from diverse geographic, disciplinary and thematic backgrounds. 

The Danish government reached an agreement with union and business representatives which will help refugees get into the national labour force.

The highlight of the agreement is a new so-called ‘integration basic education’ scheme (integrations-grunduddannelse - IGU), which aims to put refugees in short-term jobs at an apprentice salary level of between 50 to 120 kroner (between 6.7 to 16.1 €) per hour. The IGU jobs can last for up to two years and refugees will also be offered skill development or education courses of up to 20 weeks. 

The world of work is undergoing a major process of change. In order to understand and to respond effectively to these new challenges the International Labour Organization has launched a "Future of Work initiative" in order to be able to advance its mandate for social justice.

The Foreign Employer Guarantee Fund (FEGF)  helps protect Filipino migrant workers and supports their repatriation. 

For Overseas Filipino Workers recruited through a government-to-government arrangement, the Administration shall, through relevant guidelines, establish and administer a Foreign Employer’s Guarantee Fund (FEGF) which shall be answerable for the Overseas Filipino Workers’ monetary claims arising from breach of contractual obligations. The same must be included in bilateral agreements on government-to-government hiring.

IOM offices and partners launched Skills2Work to improve the access of employers and beneficiaries to information and services related to skills recognition.

The Skills2Work project aims to promote labour market integration of refugees by promoting the early validation of formal and informal skills and competences. This is achieved by supporting the reception framework and capacities of relevant authorities, service providers and employers, and by enhancing access to information and services regarding the recognition of skills and qualifications of refugees. 

The German IQ Network is composed of federal, regional, and local organizations. Its tasks include supporting authorities responsible for labour market integration such as employment services, chambers of commerce and industry.

The Shortage Occupation List is a strict list of jobs for migrant workers.

In March 2017, the federal government in Canada launched a pilot project to address labour shortages in certain industries in Nova Scotia.

With an unemployment rate of 8%, there is paradoxically an acute labour shortage in certain industries in the region, including Nova Scotia fish plants.

The Thai Cabinet endorsed in October 2016 the National Strategy Migrant Worker Management B.E. 2560-2564 (2017-2021), which amongst its objectives, include the management of the importation, working condition, and the return to the country of origin of migrant labor and the improvement of migrant labor standards to become in line with international standards.