DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect

the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

Climate-induced Migration: Labour Migration Dimensions and International Cooperation

Kee Beom Kim Employment Specialist, ILO September 15, 2011

Decent Work for All

ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015

Introduction
I. Labour migration trends/issues in the context of environmental and climate changes

II.

International normative framework on international labour migration

III. Moving forward

International labour migration: Some trends/issues

Asia and the Pacific: Vulnerable to climate change while modern-day hub of labour migration Some 34 million intl migrant workers estimated to be in Asia-Pacific (and growing) More than 3 million Asians leaving for work each year Increasingly within the region (circa 43%) Increasing role of private recruitment agencies Increasing proportion of women

strengthened regional cooperation key to addressing environmental migration

Temporary labour migration characterizes migration policy regimes within Asia

Temporary labour migration (for specified time period) is the dominant feature of migration within Asia:
As a result of economic growth & labour shortages (migrant workers fill low-paid jobs in domestic work, manufacturing, construction and agriculture) and belief that more beneficial for all parties involved More readily accepted by public in receiving countries

Small proportion but growth in irregular migration

Restrictive policies amidst demand for lower skilled workers

climate-induced migration implies greater permanent migration and may exacerbate irregular migration

International normative framework on labour migration: International human rights law

International Bill of Human Rights - Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Intl Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) - Intl Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Intl Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Intl Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) Intl Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

These widely ratified instruments protect all human beings regardless of their nationality and legal status (including freedom from slavery/forced labour; degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment ; equality before the law and equal protection of the law; freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile ; and others)

ILO Conventions
Fundamental Principles and rights at work (human rights at work, obligation by virtue of membership) - Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining (C87 & C98) - Elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour (C29 & 105) - Effective abolition of child labour (C138 & C182) - Elimination of discrimination in respect to employment and occupation (C100 and C111) The above ILO Fundamental Conventions are also widely ratified Conventions particularly relevant to migrant workers - Convention on private employment agencies (C181) - Convention on equality of treatment (accident compensation) (C19) - Convention of equality of treatment (social security) (C118) - Convention on decent work for domestic workers (C189)

ILO migrant worker Conventions

Migration for Employment Convention (C97) Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention (C143) C97 (1949) prompted by interest in facilitating movement of surplus labour from Europe to other parts of the world in aftermath of Second World War (covers migrant workers in regular status) C43 (1975) covers migrant workers in both regular and irregular status Equal treatment between regular status migrants and nationals in employment and working conditions ILO instruments on migrant workers provide for guarantees and facilities to assist migrant workers and their families in all stages of the migration process Measures to counter irregular migration

ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration

Non-binding principles, guidelines and best practices for a rightsbased approach to labour migration Addresses migration and development linkages, decent work, governance of migration, protection of migrant workers and expanding international cooperation Takes into account relevant ILO conventions and in particular C97 and C143

UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
UN instrument (in addition to the 2 ILO conventions) directed at protection of migrant workers Discourage and eliminate irregular migration, at the same time it furthers the rights and protections of persons migrating for employment, including those who find themselves in an irregular situation

Regional instruments
ASEAN Community: facilitated movement of business persons, professionals, talents and labour ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers / ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour Ongoing development of regional instrument on the protection of migrant workers

Moving forward (I)

Climate-induced migration likely to occur mostly internally need for decent and productive employment opportunities at natl levels Adaptation to climate change can foster green skills and green jobs which in turn can enhance mobility

Greater labour mobility in shortage areas for both lower skilled and skilled workers in the framework of regional and bilateral agreements

Greater bilateral/multilateral dialogue, including social dialogue (governments, employers and workers) required:
Economic but also social benefits and costs

Gender
Rights, protection and treatment

Moving forward (II)

Awareness building at national level critical to raise greater public appreciation of value and contribution of migrant workers
Public attitudes towards migrant workers and migrant issues (%)
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Thailand Malaysia High support Korea Low support Singapore

Moderate support

Source: ILO commissioned survey undertaken by Rapid Asia (2010). Note: Derived from 20 questions addressing knowledge, attitude and behaviour on/towards migrant workers and migrant issues.

Moving forward (III)

Dialogue based on widely shared values among source and destination countries will be key for effectively addressing climateinduced migration International normative instruments articulate a set of shared values, rooted in universal principles that can serve as basis for international dialogue, regional instruments and cooperation and national legislation Building institutional capacities in multiple fronts will also be key migration governance, rights at work, employment policy, green jobs, employment services, social protection, occupational safety and health, social security, vocational training and skills among others

ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015 Decent Work for All

Thank you
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific www.ilo.org/asia