TAS Model United Nations 2015
Forum:
Human Rights Committee 1
Issue:
Means to combat xenophobia against migrant workers
Chair:
Jenny Jang
Introduction
Throughout the years, countless migrant workers have chosen to relocate to more developed
nations in an attempt to find better jobs and improve their standard of living. However, once they reach
their destinations, a majority are faced with not only poor working conditions, but also xenophobia and
racial discrimination. Migrant workers also significantly lack human rights and the power to change their
living conditions, therefore making them far more vulnerable than other workers.
Definition of Key Terms
Xenophobia
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
xenophobia is defined as “attitudes, prejudices, and behaviors that reject, exclude, and often vilify
persons, based on the perception that they are outsiders or foreigners to the community, society or
national identity.”
Migrant worker
As has been stated by the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of Their Families, a migrant worker is a person who is to be engaged, is currently
engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national.
Receiving country
According to the International Organization for Migration, a receiving country is the country of
destination for a migrant worker.
Country of origin
According to the International Organization for Migration, a country of origin is a country that is a
source of migratory flow.
Racial Discrimination
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According to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination, racial discrimination is any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race,
color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the
recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in
the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
General Overview
Reasons for xenophobia against migrant workers
As the number of migrant workers around the world continues to increase, citizens of receiving
countries are faced with higher competition with respect to job opportunities, thus jeopardizing their own
economic stability. Since migrant workers tend to work for lower wages and are less likely to stand up
against abuse, there are many companies that are willing to hire them over others. This causes
resentment from citizens and eventually leads to high tensions, fueling xenophobia against migrant
workers.
Major organizations involved
Global Migration Group
The Global Migration Group is an inter-agency group that works together to solve any and
all international issues regarding migration. It consists of 18 different agencies, including the
International Labor Organization. GMG also cooperates with the Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD).
International Labor Organization
Since its creation in 1919, the International Labor Organization, a specialized agency of
the United Nations, has constantly promoted social justice and human and labor rights. Today,
the ILO advocates for rights at work, decent employment activities, social protection, and
increased communication in the workplace.
International Organization for Migration
The International Organization for Migration, an intergovernmental organization, works to
assist with migration for the benefit of all, by providing services and advice to migrants and
governments. The IOM works specifically in facilitating and regulating forced migration as well as
migration and development.
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Timeline of Events
Date
Description of event
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
December 18, 1990
and Members of their Families is passed. This resolution was adopted by the
General Assembly, and it serves as the basis for outlining the human rights
migrant workers should have.
December 4, 2000
UN General Assembly officially appoints December 18th as International
Migrants Day.
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance held in Durban, South Africa. At this conference, the
August 31 –
international community creates the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
September 1, 2001
These seek to reduce racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other related
intolerance through ways such as active international participation and adopting
a victim-orientated perspective.
Durban Review Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland. It was a follow-
April 20 – 24, 2009
up conference to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. It discussed the implementation of the
Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development is established.
October 3 – 4, 2013
During this high-level dialogue, member states drafted a resolution, and
attempted to “make migration work” by following an eight-point agenda.
UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events
The United Nations has attempted to combat xenophobia against migrant workers on numerous
occasions through several resolutions and conventions discussing both migrant workers’ rights and
countering racism as a whole. The UN also utilizes the ILO as a basis to create conventions that protect
the human rights of migrant workers.
●
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
their Families, 18 December 1990 (A/RES/45/158)
●
Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949, 01 July 1949 (C97)
●
Measures to improve the situation of migrant workers, 6 November 1974 (A/RES/3224)
●
Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975, 24 June 1975 (C143)
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●
Migrant Workers Recommendation, 1975, 24 Jun 1975 (R151)
Possible Solutions
First of all, government should be cooperating with a variety of organizations, especially the ILO,
when attempting to reduce xenophobia. With the help of external forces, member nations have the
increased possibility of incorporating laws regarding the protection of migrant workers. Although the
possibility of being able to fully implement such laws is subject to change within each nation, it is
plausible to set punishments for government officials that have been proven to be xenophobic towards
migrant workers.
Furthermore, educating citizens of receiving countries on the situation of migrant workers can
increase sympathy, possibly soothing tension between citizens and these individuals, eventually
reducing xenophobia in the nation as a whole.
Bibliography
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