F.69 - Social security for migrants

Priority measure number
69
F.69 - Social security for migrants
Promote the signing of bilateral and multilateral social security conventions to enable migrant workers to accumulate years of service.

Comments

This priority measure is very specific, and focuses on working conditions, and in particular on pension portability. It provides a suitable complement to priority measure 67, as all regular-status migrants will be covered by this measure. Bilateral agreements must always be seen as a possibility, in light of specific protocols, especially when pension systems have very different make-ups. The Ibero-American Organization for Social Security (OISS) can play a key role in follow-up to bilateral and subregional proposals.

Possible lines of action

1. Adopt specific national legislation on the rights of migrant workers, in line with the provisions of the Ibero-American Multilateral Convention on Social Security. 2. Conduct periodic evaluations of social security agreements adopted by countries. 3. Negotiate agreements and conventions among member countries of CELAC and organizations at the regional (UNASUR) and subregional levels (MERCOSUR, Andean Community, SICA, CARICOM).

Related instruments, forums and mechanisms

Ibero-American Multilateral Convention on Social Security: as of March 2015, 12 countries had ratified the Convention and nine reported that they were effectively applying it (see [online] http://www.oiss.org/-Convenio-Multilateral-.html). The Convention refers to the Ibero-American community; countries of the region that are not represented in it can nevertheless strengthen their bilateral, regional and subregional mechanisms on this basis. CELAC can also promote the Convention among its members and encourage the adoption of others, of a subregional or bilateral nature, such as within MERCOSUR and the Andean Community.

There are a number of ILO conventions that must not be overlooked, although their application is uneven from one country to another.

This priority measure is associated with target 8.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals (“Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment”), for which the United Nations Statistics Division has proposed “Ratification and implementation of ILO fundamental conventions and relevant international labour and human rights standards” as an indicator.

Topic
F. International migration