Development, Mobility, and Human Rights: Rhetoric and Reality

Refugee Survey Quarterly (2010), Volume 28 (4): pages 165-200.

Piyasiri Wickramasekara*

-Author Affiliations

* Formerly Senior Migration Specialist, International Migration Programme, International Labour Office, Geneva.

Abstract

Recent years have seen mobility and migration and their links to development high on the global policy agenda and discourse. Yet, the missing dimension is the linkage of these with the rights of migrant workers. Development now focuses on freedom, choices and capabilities of people. It is crucially dependent on realization of human rights of all persons including migrants. Human rights cover both universal human rights, core labour rights and other workplace rights of migrants. Mobility rights are part of overall human rights which apply to all human beings irrespective of their migratory status. Denial of rights means that the individual migrant has lack of access to realization of capabilities and entitlements. Recent State approaches do not promote the development–mobility–rights nexus with their preoccupation with sovereignty, State security, and irregular migration, and reliance on control-oriented migration policies. This article analyses the various interactions of migration and development, and the impact on rights. It reviews some recent approaches to international mobility regimes and their role in strengthening the development–mobility–rights nexus. The article highlights the gap between policy and practice and the role of a rights-based policy in promoting the development–mobility–rights nexus.

Abstract of my paper in Third World Quarterly (2008), Volume 29: 7, 1247 — 1264

Globalisation, International Labour Migration and the Rights of Migrant Workers

Third World Quarterly (2008), Volume 29: 7, 1247 — 1264

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA*

ABSTRACT

The aim of the paper is to highlight the gaps between policy and
practice in the current discourse on international migration and its links with
development. It contends that a major cause of the limited development impact
of migration is the ‘closed door policy’ of major destination countries on the
admission of low-skilled migrant workers from developing countries. The paper
addresses the weak foundations and major consequences of this policy: the
denial of labour demand, channelling a large part of flows to irregular
migration, consequent exploitation and violation of rights of migrant workers,
and accelerated brain drain from developing countries. While there is increasing
emphasis on temporary migration policies and programmes for low skilled
labour, achievements on the ground have been quite limited. The movement
towards a global migration regime which can address current pressing issues has
also not progressed beyond broad consultative forums. There is an imperative
need for fresh approaches and bold initiatives to promote international labour
mobility for the welfare of the global community.