May 06, 2019

Migrant labour - modern day slavery?

located:	Nigeria, Mali, Morocco, Qatar
editor:	Bob Koigi

There are an estimated 240 million migrant workers globally who in 2017 sent home some $466 billion in what points to an industry that continues to grow its contribution and importance to the world economy and politics.

A majority of these migrant workers – who are from developing countries – have crossed boundaries in search of greener pastures, and sent money back home to cater to the needs of their families, who live on less than a dollar a day. Yet they have paid a heavy price, and have had to contend with serious violations, including exploitation, abuse, torture, lack of representation, denial of their fundamental rights, and even becoming victims of drugs and sex cartels in what resembles modern-day slavery. 

From the Middle East to Africa and Europe, migrant labour has been commodified, with the workers viewed as commodities for import and export rather than human beings with rights and who want to offer decent services.

In Africa, where there are an approximated 34 million migrant workers, the majority who of which move to other countries in search of better days, there has been a rise in cases of especially girls and women who are promised legitimate jobs only to be sold as sex slaves. Earlier this year, Nigeria's anti-trafficking agency said that about 20,000 Nigerian girls have been forced into prostitution in Mali after they were duped they would be given genuine jobs.

But even with the startling state of affairs, there has been some marked attempts to protect migrant workers and harmonising laws that govern international labour. And although it still is a drop in the ocean, these genuine attempts are paving the way for streamlining an industry that has the potential to create millions of decent jobs if well policed.

The Morocco parliament has passed a domestic workers law, which ensures that they get contracts, specified minimum wage, guaranteed days off, and maximum working hours.

Qatar removed the exit permit requirement which allowed migrant workers to leave the country without seeking permission from the employer, while in Bahrain the government has set up a protection centre that offers shelter and legal advice to abused migrant workers while signing international treaties with labour exporting countries that guarantee the safety of migrant workers. These are landmark moments of progress, coming from countries that have traditionally been accused of violations of rights of migrant workers.

At a time when the world is increasingly becoming globalised, migrant labour markets cannot go ignored, and require the support and attention across public, private, and development circles. The role this plays in the 21st-century global dynamics cannot be gainsaid. In the words of an International Labour Organisation report of 2018, “If the right policies are in place, labour migration can help countries respond to shifts in labour supply and demand, stimulate innovation and sustainable development, and transfer and update skills.”

Political will is the first and crucial step in mainstreaming migrant labour. The International Labour Organisation in its Century Ratification Campaign has called on its 187 member states to ratify at least one international labour Convention in 2019, committing to enforce standards that guide an aspect of decent work for men and women. This one commitment would be a great leap in giving dignity to migrant workers the world over, and nations should demonstrate respect for foreign workers by signing it.

Photo: Anti-Slavery

For more modern day slavery news, why not read our article 'what is human trafficking'