Migrant workers must be fairly hired.
Migrant workers are individuals who developed, are developing or will develop a work activity in a State other than their own . These are, therefore, individuals who work outside their country of birth.
It should be noted that someone who works is called a worker . The term usually refers to the individual who has a paid job (that is, who obtains financial compensation for his or her work). Migrant , on the other hand, is one who migrates: he moves from his place of residence or a different one.
Labor migration, in short, is carried out by men and women who leave their homeland to work in another country. Emigration can be decided for multiple reasons and sometimes there is even forced displacement .
Characteristics of migrant workers
The situation of migrant workers is regulated by a United Nations ( UN ) treaty that was adopted at the end of 1990 . This is the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families , which provides a legal framework and aims to guarantee labor rights. This convention also seeks to prevent clandestine migration, establishing punishments for human traffickers and those who employ migrants in an irregular situation.
It should be considered that migrant workers can be classified into different categories. There are itinerant, seasonal and border workers , for example, in addition to the so-called seafarers . Each group has its particular characteristics and faces various problems.
It must be taken into account that, to work legally abroad, you must meet certain requirements. It is necessary to process the corresponding documentation and work permits to avoid an irregular situation.
Migrant workers without the documents and permits established by law do not have any type of protection. In this informal employment they may suffer human rights violations and lack job security.
When migrant workers are in good standing, however, they may experience cultural integration problems and suffer discrimination due to xenophobia or racism . That is why it is important that States, beyond ensuring compliance with labor legislation, commit to the social well-being of workers.
This responsibility also falls on the media, whose role affects public perceptions. The fight against stereotypes must occur in all areas to build a peaceful, harmonious and empathetic society.
Employment discrimination is a common problem for migrant workers.
human trafficking
Migrant workers may be victims of human trafficking . This is the name given to the crime that consists of exploiting a person to obtain a profit.
It can be noted that human trafficking involves an illegal movement of individuals . Also called human trafficking , it involves capturing, offering, transferring and/or harboring people to exploit them.
In the case of migrant workers, there is labor exploitation . Sometimes, victims arrive deceived in the other country, where they find themselves without resources or assistance. Thus, they are forced to carry out different activities for minimal pay or even just in exchange for accommodation and food.
Migrant workers contribute to cultural diversity.
Benefits generated by migrant workers
Migrant workers generate important benefits for both their nation of origin and the host country. This reality is important to highlight, since these people - as we already indicated - tend to be discriminated against in their new home and even receive accusations of taking jobs from local residents. Statistics show that, instead of increasing poverty, these workers generate the opposite effect .
The work of migrants contributes to the development of the receiving country. Their capabilities contribute to the growth of the economy , which gains productivity and manages to add various products and services to its market. They also pay taxes that constitute a contribution to the state coffers.
The country of origin, simultaneously, benefits from the remittances sent by migrant workers. Generally, these money transfers reach poor or underdeveloped countries, allowing many people to satisfy their basic needs or access certain services thanks to these currencies.
Another advantage for the country of origin occurs with the voluntary return of these workers. This return usually occurs with men and women who had access to higher education or who had important experiences abroad, with which they are in a position to enrich their homeland with their knowledge, professional training and skills.
It cannot be overstated, however, that the ideal is for no nation to lose people of productive age, whether they are skilled workers or unskilled workers . Those subjects who emigrate begin to generate value abroad instead of doing so in their homeland.
Therefore, the sustainable development of a country requires the retention of talents . When a brain drain occurs, the damage is generated in the present but above all in the future.