A/61/324 40. Another important social and economic issue is the effect of migration on countries of origin, specifically the situation of family members left behind, in particular the elderly, young people and children. This theme is, of course, closely linked to both the situation of women and child migrants. Such situations are often the result of the failure to regularize the status of migrants or a lack of opportunities for family reunification in host countries. 18 In certain countries this phenomenon has taken on particular importance. 19 41. Regarding countries of destination, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur has sometimes recommended that Governments undertake awareness campaigns on the situation of migrants and their contribution to the economy, culture and development. 20 More general recommendations have included the initiation of an intersectoral dialogue to find ways to develop specific policies to deal with migration issues and their implications for development, gender equity and the return and integration of repatriated migrants. 21 42. In conclusion, social and economic factors are both a cause of migration and factors contributing to the abuse and human rights violations suffered by migrants. 22 However, in addition to increased vulnerability to abuse, social and economic factors can also determine not only the conditions of migration, but also the ultimate benefits, both personal for the migrant but also for society in general, that result from the migration process. B. Consequences of the failure to acknowledge the demand for migrant labour 43. In his last report, the Special Rapporteur outlined a number of issues of particular concern to the mandate. In the context of the High-Level Dialogue, he would like to highlight the question of the failure by many countries to acknowledge the existence of demand for migrant labour and the negative consequences this has for migrants, either by encouraging the irregular migration and all the attendant human rights violations, or by fuelling anti-immigrant feeling among certain sectors of the population who perceive migrants as a burden rather than active and necessary members of their societies. 44. The existence of a demand for labour in receiving countries and the failure to acknowledge this demand has been noted in a number of recent reports and papers on international migration. In a 2004 report, ILO observed, with regard to the growth of the informal sector in developed economies, that “changing economic and demographic trends are combining to increase the effective demand for foreign labour in many industrialized countries” and that the “demand for migrant workers provides a significant impetus to labour flows and encourages the use of __________________ 18 19 20 21 22 06-51782 See E/CN.4/2001/83, para. 65. See for example recommendations made in reports on the visits to Ecuador (E/CN.4/2002/94/Add.1, paras. 77 and 78 and the Philippines (E/CN.4/2003/85/Add.4, para. 80). See E/CN.4/2004/76/Add.2, para. 86 (g). See E/CN.4/2000/82, paras. 91 (g) and (h). See for example reports on the visits to Ecuador (E/CN.4/2002/94/Add.1, para. 74), Mexico (E/CN.4/2003/85/Add.2, para. 49), Spain (E/CN.4/2004/76/Add.2, para. 78), Italy (E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.3, para. 80) and Peru (E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.4, para. 70). 11