Low and Unskilled Migration

This paper, “Research on the Labour Recruitment Industry between United Arab Emirates, Kerala (India) and Nepal,” was commissioned to the International Organization for Migration by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. It examines the labour recruitment processes from India and Nepal to the UAE, with a focus on low-skilled and semi-skilled workers.

The MOU signed by the two parties in 2013 aims to enhance cooperation on domestic worker recruitment in a way which realizes the interests of both countries and securies the rights of both workers and employers.

Under this MOU th charging or deducting from salary any cost attendant to recruitment and deployment from workers’ salaries is prohibited.

Although domestic workers are explicitly excluded from protections under the Labour Law in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, in June 2015 a separate law regulating the domestic work sector was adopted by Kuwait’s national assembly, providing some labour rights to this vulnerable group of workers – including a minimum wage. The lack of a credible mechanism to enforce this law remains a shortcoming however.

The Republic of Korea introduced the Employment Permit System (EPS) in 2004, which recognized the need for low-skilled workers by Korean enterprises (particularly of small and medium sizes) in construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services, and introduced a government–to-government labour recruitment programme based on mandatory MOUs with 15 countries in Asia. A major achievement is the reduction in the average cost paid by a worker from US$3,509 under the trainee system in 2002 to US$927 under the EPS system in 2011.

The project aimed at improving the social security benefits for Moldovan migrant workers by enhancing the capacity of the Moldovan government in negotiating, adopting, and implementing bilateral social security agreements with major destination countries of Moldovan migrant workers. The project contributes to improving the impact of migration on development and on poverty reduction by ensuring the right of social security for the Moldovan migrant workers and their families.

Established in 2000, DRUM aims to build the power of South Asian low wage immigrant workers, youth, and families in New York City to win economic and educational justice, and civil and immigrant rights. One of DRUM's main programs,  the South Asian Workers Center,  seeks to build the leadership of and organizes low-wage workers in service industries, particularly immigrant women retail workers.

The CSAM measures the labour market integration of recently arrived migrants in the Skill and Family Streams. Findings from this survey help us to inform the size and composition of Australia's Migration Programme.

Migrants taking part in the CSAM are surveyed on two occasions to capture changes in their labour market status. This provides reliable insights into the migrant integration process, and the extent of underemployment against the backdrop of a changing labour market.

In 2006, New Zealand introduced the Recognized Seasonal Employers Scheme (RSE) to fill labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries. Under this scheme, employers can apply for RSE status to fill vacant positions. Priority is given to migrants coming from the Pacific, with the idea of encouraging a mutually beneficial relationship where employers have access to a secure labour supply and workers gain entrance into the New Zealand labour market.

This instrument channels the official recognition of professional skills achieved through work experience, and enables to carry out a work activity in the production system. Since it applies to migrants, it aims to facilitate the adequately use of new skills and experience from abroad in the country of origin.

Since 2011, the Government of Sri Lanka has been looking to shift its migrant worker population from a mainly low skilled work force to more of a skilled work force to  ensure better conditions of employment and higher wages overseas, and recognition and employability upon return to Sri Lanka.