Social protection
ILO Strategy on extending social protection to migrant workers, refugees and their families
All members of society have the right to social security, including migrant workers, refugees, and their families. However, they face numerous legal and practical obstacles in accessing social protection. Based on the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination, well-designed and inclusive social protection systems and international cooperation, are powerful tools to reduce poverty, inequality, social exclusion and achieving sustainable development.
The ILO Strategy on extending social protection to migrant workers, refugees and their families presents the ILO’s strategic approach, theory of change and guiding principles when supporting Members States in the development and implementation of policies or mechanisms aimed at extending social protection to migrant workers, refugees and their families, based on International Labour Standards.
Recalling and recognizing that social security is a right for all, Member States are encouraged to consider the following six complementary and mutually reinforcing policy measures:
• Progressively building national social protection systems that are inclusive of migrant workers and refugees
• Supporting the ratification of relevant ILO standards and new / revised social security laws and their concrete implementation
• Concluding social security agreements (bi/multi) between countries to ensure the portability of benefits across countries;
• Concluding BLMAs with social security provisions based on the equality of treatment principle;
• Setting complementary measures addressing the administrative & practical obstacles faced by migrant workers and refugees.
• Adopting other unilateral measures, or mechanisms that allow for flexibility in the design of the scheme and assistance with regards to qualifying conditions and minimum requirements can also be considered.
Recalling and recognizing that social security is a right for all, Member States are encouraged to consider the following six complementary and mutually reinforcing policy measures:
• Progressively building national social protection systems that are inclusive of migrant workers and refugees
• Supporting the ratification of relevant ILO standards and new / revised social security laws and their concrete implementation
• Concluding social security agreements (bi/multi) between countries to ensure the portability of benefits across countries;
• Concluding BLMAs with social security provisions based on the equality of treatment principle;
• Setting complementary measures addressing the administrative & practical obstacles faced by migrant workers and refugees.
• Adopting other unilateral measures, or mechanisms that allow for flexibility in the design of the scheme and assistance with regards to qualifying conditions and minimum requirements can also be considered.