Migrant workers: living in the shadows

Migrant workers: living in the shadows

It is estimated that some 21 million people are trapped in forced
labor, while almost 19 million victims are exploited by individuals or
companies, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Migrants, especially those in an irregular situation, are at the most at
risk to forced labor.

“Many
migrants, particularly those in an irregular situation, often live and
work in the shadows, afraid to complain, denied rights and freedoms that
we take for granted and disproportionately vulnerable to discrimination
and marginalization,” said UN Human Rights Deputy Chief Flavia
Pansieri, during the half-day general discussion on workplace
exploitation and protection.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of Their Families, the Committee on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families held a
general discussion bringing together international experts, government
officials, UN agencies, civil society and trade union representatives at
the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

There are more than 232 million migrants worldwide and 30 million are
estimated to be irregular migrants. The International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their
Families provides a legal framework for the protection of the
fundamental human rights of all migrant workers under the international
human rights system, regardless of their nationality or immigration
status.