ILO Report On International Migrants

Syllabus: GS2/IR; GS3/Economy

Context

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently published the fourth edition of its Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers, highlighting the significant contributions and challenges faced by international migrants in the global labor market.

Key Findings of Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers (ILO)

• Contributions to Global Economy: In 2022, International migrants made up 4.7% (167.7 million) of the global labor force, which includes both employed and unemployed individuals.
  • It marks an increase of over 30 million compared to 2013.
• Regional Distribution:
  • High-income Countries absorbed the largest number of International migrants, accounting for 68.4% (114 million people), primarily in key sectors such as services, especially in the provision of care. 
  • Upper-middle-income countries accounted for 17.4% (29.2 million) of International migrants.
  • The share of International migrants in the labor force in Northern, Southern, and Western Europe was 23.3%, while in Northern America, it was 22.6%.
• Employment Sectors:
  • Services Sector: 68.4% (higher than non-migrants);
    • Women (80.7%) and Male (60.8%);
    • Care Economy: Migrant women (28.8%) and Migrant men (12.4%);
  • Industry Sector: 24.3%
  • Agriculture: 7.4%
    • Non-migrants share in agriculture: 24.3%.
• Age Distribution:
  • Prime-age adult (between 25 and 54 years): 74.9% (125.6 million);
  • Young (between 15-24 years): 9.3% (15.5 million);
  • Between 55-64 years: 12.5%;
  • Above 65 years: 3.4%

• Gender:

• Men constituted 4.7% of the total male employment.
• Women accounted for 4.4% of the total female employment.
  • However, the number of women International migrants has steadily risen since 2015.

Significance of International Migrants

• Addressing labor market shortages in host nations and contributing remittances to their home countries.
  • In 2024, India received an estimated $129.1 billion worth of remittances (14.3% of the world), the highest ever for a country in any year. These funds support families, boost local economies, and contribute to national development.

Challenges and Growth Rate Highlighted in Report

• The report noted that the rate of growth of International migrants dipped annually to less than 1% between 2019 and 2022, influenced by factors such as the pandemic.

• Gender Disparities: Migrant women faced higher unemployment rates (8.7%) compared to migrant men (6.2%), and their employment-to-population ratio was significantly lower at 48.1%, versus 72.8% for men.
  • Factors contributing to these disparities include language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, discrimination, limited childcare options, and gender-based expectations.
• Higher Unemployment Rates: Migrants faced a higher unemployment rate (7.2%) than non-migrants (5.2%), with women more affected.

Policy Recommendations

• To maximize the benefits of labor migration, the ILO emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies that enhance labor mobility, protect workers’ rights, and promote inclusive growth. 
• These policies should address the specific needs of migrant workers, ensuring their safety, dignity, and economic well-being.

Source: TH