Link - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

anti-discrimination and integration measures and activities for
employers and trade unions.
Organizations like the IFRCRCS can supplement the social
service capacity of the host country. Where migrants remain
excluded from some of the regular support mechanisms, for
instance due to irregular status, IFRCRCS can help meet the social
service needs of migrants. Humanitarian organizations are often
the first port of call for newly arrived migrants or migrants in
distress and they can play a role in advocating for the needs of
vulnerable migrant groups.
The Role of Trade Unions
The work of trade unions encompasses aspects that are of
concern to all workers – national and foreign – including the
regular payment of salaries, wage increases, the provision of
social benefits and the observance of labour standards. Trade
unions are generally focussed on protecting the interests of their
members and workers in the countries where the union is located.
Migrants could benefit from membership in trade unions, as
migrants (particularly those in an irregular status) can be highly
vulnerable to exploitation and other extrajudicial practices at the
hands of employers.
yet, as pointed out by the representative of the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions – African Regional
Organization (ICFTU-AFRO), union constitutions often are
silent on the rights of migrant workers. This may be due in part
to the potential conflict between lower-skilled national workers
and migrant workers doing the same kind of jobs. In addition,
migrants are sometimes reluctant to join trade unions. A lack
of trust and information can prevent meaningful partnerships
between national unions and migrant workers.
Despite these obstacles, some argue that unions have a
responsibility to organize all workers, including migrants, and
protect their rights and interests. To this end, unions at national
levels are sometimes involved in the formulation of national labour
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