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in humiliating and degrading jobs. However, such efforts have at times been
unsuccessful if they were not accompanied by agreements with the States of
destination, especially where there was a strong sex industry or a strong demand for
unskilled labour.
30. The Special Rapporteur has observed a need to give legal recognition to the
work done by migrant domestic workers. She has emphasized that it is essential that
workers in the informal sector, as well as their children, have access to social
security, education, health-care services, legal aid, counselling and socio-economic
benefits. Pre-departure information, mechanisms for monitoring and accessible
complaint mechanisms are also necessary to ensure adequate protection from and
prevention of abuses. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the
existence in some countries of mail-order bride agencies and/or web sites and about
the vulnerability of minors who have recourse to them, thereby becoming vulnerable
to exploitation and trafficking. Special measures should be taken to protect persons
against these risks.
31. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes that efforts must be made to
combat corruption and punish abusive employers. The first step in this direction is
an inclusive and detailed employment contract that is written in a language that the
migrant can understand. It should contain information with respect to the work site,
the duration of the contract, the monthly salary, the working hours and the
conditions of stay (including residency documents and work permit, suitable and
sanitary living quarters, adequate food and medical services). It should also have a
provision giving the employee the right to terminate the contract under specified
conditions, as well as information on where to find assistance in case of problems.
4.
National migration administrations
32. The Special Rapporteur notes that corruption often permeates migration
administrations, resulting in the complete lack of protection for migrants and
impunity for those responsible for violating their rights. The Special Rapporteur has
received various testimonies of extortion and abuse of migrants, especially women,
by officials. Moreover, she has frequently observed that ratified conventions are not
always translated into national legislation. States must take into account the
complex and comprehensive nature of corruption at all levels.
33. The Special Rapporteur has emphasized the need to provide adequate training
and resources to the national migration administrations, border police and law
enforcement agencies and officials dealing with migration matters. Instruction
should go beyond theoretical teaching of national and international legislative
provisions to action-oriented training. It should also include modules to raise
awareness on the concrete problems faced by undocumented migrants and their
vulnerability to human rights violations, as well as practical training in investigating
criminal groups involved in smuggling and trafficking. Responsible officials and
those dealing with migrants should also be trained to give migrants practical
guidance and information. The Special Rapporteur recommends that they be
sensitized with respect to the social, cultural and psychological difficulties
encountered by migrants and to the human dimension of the migration phenomenon.
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