A/76/257
including by providing access to testing and vaccines, housing and shelter, water and
sanitation, regularization processes, employment and direct relief. 81 Qatar indicated
that all migrant workers in isolation, quarantine or under treatment would receive a
basic salary and allowances irrespective of whether they are entitled to sick leave
benefits. The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs has
conducted awareness campaigns and inspected work sites, workers’ housing and their
means of transportation to verify safety measures. 82 In Botswana and South Africa,
trade unions and NGOs, in collaboration with ILO, have made available cash and food
support to migrant domestic workers. 83 Ireland has extended its illness benefit scheme
to migrants with insufficient social insurance contributions. In Tunisia, the Union
générale tunisienne du travail has granted membership to several sub-Saharan
workers to strengthen protection and social dialogue and counter exploitation and
racism. Argentina has established four orientation centres to provide migrants with
information on immigration procedures and legal support, including on the prevention
of institutional and gender-based violence, and training to facilitate insertion in the
labour market. 84
Fighting racism and discrimination against migrants in the context of the pandemic
75. Governments and stakeholders have developed campaigns and initiatives to
improve narratives about migrants and fight discrimination, xenophobia and racism.
The Council of Europe issued guidelines on upholding equality and protecting against
discrimination and hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, covering also the situation
of migrants. 85 In Germany, the federal programme entitled “Live democracy!”
addresses racist reporting, provides counselling and supports projects in partnership
with self-help organizations set up by migrants. 86 In Portugal, the Commission for
Equality and Against Racial Discrimination informs victims of racial discrimination
of their rights and forwards complaints to competent authorities. 87 In Chile, the
programme entitled “Sello Migrante” has been created to certify mun icipalities that
adopt human rights based measures for the inclusion of migrants; and the
“Compromiso Migrante” seal recognizes the work of institutions and companies that
implement measures aimed at improving labour conditions of migrants. 88 Australia
has launched an information campaign in 64 languages to provide rights awareness
and support victims of racism in the context of COVID-19. 89 In Maldives, NGOs have
developed social media campaigns to promote vaccine equity and acceptance, and a
series of stories on migrant workers of Maldives has showcased migrants and
promoted their inclusion. 90
Reintegration of returning migrants
76. Several Governments and stakeholders have provided different levels of support
to returning migrants. Cambodia, in coordination with United Nations agencies, has
provided support to provinces expecting large numbers of returning migrant workers.
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84
85
86
87
88
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21-10577
Submission by the Mayors Migration Council; see also GFMD, Ad Hoc Working Group on the
impacts of COVID-19 on migrants, migration and development, “Lessons Learned From
COVID-19 Prevention, Response And Recovery, Working Paper”, available from www.gfmd.org/
gfmd-ad-hoc-working-group-impacts-covid-19-migrants-migration-and-development.
Submission by Qatar.
Submission by ILO.
Submissions by States.
Submission by the Council of Europe.
Submission by Germany.
Submission by Portugal.
Submission by Chile.
Submission by Australia.
Submission by Migrant Workers Maldives.
17/22