Geneva – The private sector, governments and other stakeholders must protect the rights and well-being of the estimated 164 million international migrant workers and their communities around the world, as the number of COVID-19 cases passed 1.3 million, says IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. 

“Many of these employers provide essential care, services and goods and, in doing so, rely heavily on their migrant workforce," Vitorino said Tuesday on the release of a set of recommendations to enhance business’ response to the pandemic. 

“This includes nurses, doctors and other frontline care workers as well as the agricultural, transport and retail workers that keep our cities and towns supplied with food and other essential items.”  

Migrant workers are disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of COVID-19 on businesses, including soaring unemployment rates and possible loss of income. It is therefore vital that international brands, their suppliers and other business partners respond comprehensively and collaboratively to the current situation. In doing so, they must recognize their shared responsibility to protect migrant workers and work together with governments towards avoiding costs of economic damages being passed onto workers.  

IOM’s guidance document will be updated regularly for the duration of the pandemic.  

General principles include: 

• All workers should be treated with equality, dignity and respect, irrespective of their gender and migration status.  
• The health, wellbeing and safety of all employees, including migrant workers, shall be a priority for employers during this crisis. Businesses must exercise an inclusive approach to their duty of care to respect human rights and meet the basic needs of all employees, especially those related to health. 
• Monitor and comply with all requirements established by national and sub-national authorities regarding public health measures and ensure that critical information is communicated to employees. 
• Liaise with and seek the support of relevant employer, trade and business associations to share information, learnings and recommended steps to address the crisis through cooperative action. 
• Conduct a rapid assessment of existing health, safety, labour and social protection measures at the workplace and in worker accommodation (if relevant) and identify the most pressing needs of employees.
• Focus on gender sensitive measures and tailor your response to the needs of potentially vulnerable groups within your workforce, including migrants. 

Please access the guidance at this link: https://iris.iom.int/covid-19-crisis-response. 

For more information, please contact Safa Msehli at IOM Geneva: Tel: +41794035526, Email: smsehli@iom.int