As migrant workers continue to be on the front lines of the collective response to COVID-19, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) are releasing new employer guidance for measures to protect them.
Migrant workers are a crucial part of the global workforce, accounting for 3.5 per cent of the worldâs population, according to IOM.
Worldwide, micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, rely upon them, including sectors providing essential commodities and services, as well as industries hard-hit by COVID-19.
Marina Manke, Head of IOM Labour Mobility and Human Development Division, pointed out that they not only as âdoctors, nurses and other health care professionals, but as the agricultural, transport and retail workers that keep our cities and towns functioningâ.
Distinctive challenges
As the coronavirus continues to impact local communities, businesses can play a decisive role in addressing the unique challenges faced by migrant workers.
Susceptible to job loss, salary cuts, and various health and safety concerns, migrants are far from family support networks, face language and/or cultural barriers and often lack social protection.
Many also suffer from discrimination.
Meanwhile, overseas economies that rely on financial contributions from migrant workersâespecially low- and middle-income countriesâface a steep decline in cross-border remittances.
A guiding hand
To address the specific challenges of migrant workers during COVID-19, IOM and ICC published a set of employer guidelines.
Highlighting the role of the private sector, the advice includes a set of general principles â such as treating all workers with âequality, dignity, and respectâ â regardless of gender or migratory status.
It is presented in the five categories of physical and mental health; living and working conditions; economic support; ethical recruitment; and supply chain transparency.
âEmployers are in a unique position to ensure full protection for these workers both at the workplace and in their communities of operation and supply chainsâ, said Ms. Manke. âWe hope this guide will serve them wellâ.
On the ground
IOM, ICC and its network of national committees are working to raise awareness of the particular support measures needed for migrant workers during the pandemic among businesses in different regions.
Most recently, IOM and ICC â along with its regional offices in Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico â hosted a webinar directed at employers in Latin America in Spanish.
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