A/HRC/56/54
labour migration strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Migration Policy
Framework for Africa and Plan of Action (2018–2030).
78.
The Governance of Labour Migration in South and South-East Asia project supports
the Colombo Process, a collective of 12 Asian countries of origin, by strengthening policy
talks and worker rights, with a focus on gender-responsive recruitment. UN-Women used its
self-assessment tool to train officials and recruiters in Bangladesh, leading to 60 agencies
receiving licences for gender-sensitive recruitment by 2023.84
4.
Giving migrants a voice
(a)
Rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining
79.
Laws affirming the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining should
be upheld by removing barriers that prevent migrant workers from forming unions.
Legislative reforms are improving migrant workers’ rights to unionize around the world.85
Algeria has authorized non-nationals to form unions and hold executive positions after three
years of residence. Türkiye allows non-citizens to establish and join unions, while Spain
grants migrant workers equal rights to unionize and strike. 86 Enhancing the level of
organization of women migrant workers can bolster their advocacy for labour rights and
improve access to counselling, parenting support, legal aid, financial literacy and other
services.
(b)
Rights to freedom of expression and participation in policy processes
80.
Several States have developed platforms that enable migrants to identify challenges
and influence policymaking. In Greece, the Social Integration Directorate collaborates with
local bodies and migrant organizations to manage migrant and refugee integration councils.
In Brazil, there are advisory committees and councils for refugees and migrants across the
country. In Cyprus, intercultural councils unite migrant groups, authorities, civil society and
NGOs to advance integration and unity.87
5.
Access to justice and redress for human rights violations and abuses
81.
Several countries highlighted the existence of initiatives to ensure that migrants have
access to justice and redress for human rights violations. NGOs in Cyprus offer legal
assistance to uphold migrants’ rights. Brazil offers access to a human rights hotline, while
Albania pays special attention to minors in irregular situations. 88
B.
Expanding regular pathways and regularization programmes
82.
Ensuring that migrants can access safe, regular travel lies at the heart of creating
human rights-based and gender-responsive migration laws, policies and services, reducing
their need for dangerous, irregular travel. The Global Compact for Migration focuses on
expanding regular migration to meet labour demands, promote family reunification and
support at-risk migrants. Countries are urged to enhance their admission policies, considering
humanitarian, family and employment needs, consistent with human rights standards, and
providing alternative options for asylum-seekers and low-income migrants. The United
Nations Network on Migration emphasizes the importance of regular migration to protect
vulnerable migrants and includes recommendations on the expansion of such channels to
minimize abuse and facilitate integration.89
83.
Many countries recognize the benefits of regularization programmes, which allow
migrants to regularize their status, protect migrants’ rights and support industries reliant on
84
85
86
87
88
89
14
Submission by UN-Women.
ILO, Migrant Workers’ Rights to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining, pp. 70 and 71.
Ibid., p. 70.
Submissions by Brazil, Cyprus and Greece.
Submissions by Albania, Brazil and Cyprus.
See United Nations Network on Migration, “Regular pathways”.
GE.24-07075