The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is today
presenting at the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration
and Development (HLD) a multi-agency evolving concept aimed at
taking concrete steps to tackle today's complex multidirectional
labour migration flows to ensure they successfully contribute to
development of home and host countries.



The International Migration and Development Initiative (IMDI) aims
to create synergies between governments, agencies with an interest
and expertise in migration and development and the private sector,
to better match the supply and demand for global labour.



“The need to better match the global supply and demand of
labour is a key issue in the current migration debate. Resolving
this would not only have a significant impact on global economic
development but would also help combat irregular migration, an
issue which represents the sharp end of the mismatch of supply and
demand,” said Brunson McKinley, IOM Director General.
“This initiative can do much to ensure migration becomes a
potent force for development for all countries and
economies.”



The initiative would enhance global labour markets, in particular,
through the creation of a centralized information source on
regional and national migration laws and regulations and by
developing the capacity of governments in crucial areas such as the
formulation of national labour policies and the collection of
statistics on nationals working abroad. It would also foster
research on migration opportunities, needs and practices.



“Expertise and resources from all actors involved are crucial
if the international community is to plan and invest in the labour
needs of tomorrow’s global economy in a cost effective
manner, while at the same time reinforcing the protection of the
rights of migrants,” added McKinley.



With appropriate guidance, training and sharing of information on
good practices and lessons learned, governments would be in a much
better position than they are today to put in place action oriented
policies to facilitate labour mobility between countries of origin
and of destination.



IMDI would also encourage the private sector to promote ethical
recruitment standards that recognize the need for developing
countries to retain some of their skilled workforce and to ensure
the fair treatment of migrant workers in host countries.



“With IMDI, not only would migrants be better off, the
economies of the industrialized countries would profit as well. The
developing world could be the big winner in a system through which
migrants could be helped to realize their own potential with
training at home for work opportunities abroad, and then help
realize their society’s potential by sending back much needed
skills, knowledge and resources,” added McKinley..



Recent international consultations on migration, including
IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration, have underlined
the need for a better managed global labour market to make
migration and global mobility a “win-win” proposition
for all involved.



For further information, please contact Jean Philippe Chauzy, IOM,
Tel: + 1 347-582-8328 or Niurka Pineiro, IOM, Tel: + 1 202 558
8666.