ILO Calls for Stronger Protections for Migrant Workers as Global Migration Pressures Intensify

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged governments to strengthen rights-based labour migration policies and recommit to decent work protections for migrant workers, warning that growing economic, demographic, climate and technological pressures are reshaping global migration patterns at unprecedented speed.

The call was made during the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where member states adopted a new Progress Declaration reaffirming their commitment to implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The declaration signals renewed international support for safer migration pathways, fair recruitment systems, labour protections, and expanded social protections for migrant workers, who continue to form a critical part of the global workforce.

“The ILO welcomes this important declaration,” said Gladys Cisneros, Chief of the ILO Labour Migration Branch.

“Migrant workers must be at the centre of migration governance. Ensuring labour rights, fair recruitment and access to social protection is essential, not only for migrant workers themselves, but also for inclusive and sustainable labour markets everywhere.”

Labour Migration Increasingly Central to Global Economy

The ILO says international migration is now deeply intertwined with global labour markets, with millions of people moving across borders primarily in search of work, economic opportunity, and secure livelihoods.

According to international estimates, migrant workers contribute significantly to sectors including:

• Construction

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

• Manufacturing

• Domestic and care work

• Hospitality

• Technology and logistics

At the same time, migrant workers often remain among the most vulnerable to exploitation, wage theft, unsafe working conditions, trafficking, discrimination, and lack of legal protections.

The ILO warned that major global shifts — including ageing populations, labour shortages, climate disruption, and technological transformation — are likely to intensify migration pressures in coming decades.

“International migration remains overwhelmingly driven by the search for employment and a dignified livelihood and is thus intrinsically linked to the world of work,” said Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, the ILO’s Special Representative to the United Nations in New York.

“In the face of significant global megatrends – demographic change, climatic shifts, and technological advancements – a continued focus on international labour standards and decent work as a foundation to address labour migration governance is essential.”

Global Compact Reaffirmed Amid Growing Migration Challenges

The Progress Declaration adopted during the IMRF reaffirmed political commitments by UN member states to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, a landmark international agreement adopted in 2018.

The declaration calls for stronger efforts to:

• Expand safe and regular migration pathways

• Improve labour mobility systems

• Enhance skills recognition across borders

• Strengthen social protection access

• Prevent worker exploitation

• Promote ethical recruitment practices

A key focus of the declaration is the push to prohibit recruitment agencies and employers from charging migrant workers recruitment fees and associated costs — a practice long criticised for trapping workers in debt and increasing vulnerability to abuse.

The declaration also highlights the importance of aligning migration systems with labour market needs and demographic realities, particularly as many developed economies face ageing populations and workforce shortages.

ILO Pushes Fair Recruitment and Social Protection Reforms

During the forum, the ILO organised a series of high-level roundtables and side events focused on:

• Fair and ethical recruitment

• Skills development and certification

• Decent work standards

• Social dialogue

• Wage protection systems

• Social protection portability

• Rights of women migrant workers

• Climate-linked labour migration

The organisation stressed that migrant workers should have access to the same labour protections and workplace rights as domestic workers, including:

• Fair wages

• Safe working conditions

• Freedom from discrimination

• Access to healthcare and benefits

• Legal protections against exploitation

One major issue discussed was the portability of social protection, allowing migrant workers to retain pensions, healthcare entitlements, and social benefits across borders.

Experts say this is becoming increasingly important as labour mobility rises globally.

Governments and International Partners Expand Cooperation

The ILO also co-hosted multiple side events with governments and international organisations including:

• Bangladesh

• Ghana

• The Philippines

• Qatar

• Saudi Arabia

• Spain

• The European Union

• Gulf Cooperation Council

• German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)

Discussions focused heavily on practical labour migration reforms and improving protections for migrant workers across major destination regions, particularly in sectors with high dependence on migrant labour.

Special attention was given to women migrant workers in the care economy, where labour shortages are rapidly increasing globally due to ageing populations and rising demand for healthcare and support services.

The ILO said stronger international cooperation will be critical as labour migration becomes increasingly central to economic growth strategies worldwide.

Climate Change and Demographic Pressures Driving Migration

The forum also highlighted how climate change is emerging as a major driver of migration, particularly in regions vulnerable to:

• Drought

• Flooding

• Food insecurity

• Rising sea levels

• Extreme weather events

At the same time, many developed economies are experiencing shrinking workforces and growing demand for skilled and semi-skilled migrant labour.

The ILO says these overlapping pressures make international labour standards more important than ever to ensure migration systems remain fair, orderly, and economically sustainable.

ILO Expands “Fair Migration” Agenda

The organisation confirmed it will continue advancing its “fair migration” agenda through partnerships with governments, employers, workers’ organisations, and development agencies.

That work is being guided by the ILO Governing Body’s new agenda and action framework on fair migration adopted in March 2025.

As a founding member of the UN Network on Migration, the ILO also plays a central role in coordinating international efforts to implement the Global Compact for Migration.

The organisation says future migration governance must focus not only on border management, but also on ensuring human rights, labour protections, and decent work remain central to global migration policy.