AHEAD of International Migrants Day on December 18, a new report highlights the work of trade unions around the world to protect, promote and fulfil migrant workers’ rights.

The report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Trade Unions in Action for the Rights of Migrant Workers showcases organising, campaigning, advocacy and direct support activities carried out by trade union organisations from 10 countries.

The report shows how the General Confederation of Labour in Argentina collaborates with the International Labour Organisation to equip staff at vocational training institutions to assist migrants and refugees through document regularisation, validation of educational qualifications and skills recognition.

In Kenya, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions runs the Migrant Resource Centre providing information, advocating for fair recruitment and ensuring migrant workers’ rights.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has won new, enhanced government standards for accommodation for migrant workers.

The report outlines how the Nigeria Labour Congress supports returning migrants with information guides and community engagement to assist their reintegration into society.

The ITUC report shows the collaboration between the Konfederasi Serikat Buruh Seluruh Indonesia and civil society organisations to help local governments implement migrant worker protection laws and provide effective, gender-responsive counselling services for migrant workers departing abroad or returning.

The American Federation of Labour-Congress of Industrial Organisations’ “Injury2All” campaign won a decision by the United States government to streamline a process that protects migrant workers from deportation if they report abuses of US labour laws.

In Britain, the Trade Union Congress and its affiliates have exposed high levels of exploitation of migrant workers in the care sector. 

The public service union Unison works in partnership with a charity, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, to help provide specialist support and advice to its migrant worker members.

The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey and the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania supported migrant workers from Turkey to recover their unpaid wages in Tanzania.

The Australian Congress of Trade Unions is campaigning and advocating for legislative reforms that would give migrant workers confidence to come forward and report workplace exploitation.

ITUC general secretary Luc Triangle said: “The global trade union movement stands with migrant workers. For trade unions a worker is a worker, regardless of migration status.

“That is why we demand a new social contract to create more inclusive societies and economies, including a rights-based governance of migration that is designed, implemented and monitored through social dialogue.”