As countries were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, they began to withdraw onto themselves, jeopardizing collaborative work for a more just migration system. This unilateralism is one of the biggest challenges for labor migrants today, says William Gois, Regional Coordinator of the Migrant Forum in Asia.
Social protection for all, expanded and improved regular pathways, and strong, inclusive partnerships identified as key to global recovery.
Many undocumented migrants entered the country where they are regularly, explains Michele LeVoy, Director of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants. They became undocumented for reasons beyond their control. We need to fix the policy failures that allow irregular migration.
Positive migration narratives, access to services and systemic COVID-19 recovery all key to closing protection gaps.
Delegates highlight human-centered approaches, better data, regular pathways, skills matching and partnerships.
Better data, concerted international action and social protection identified as key in fight against wage and benefit theft.
Gaps in protection are situations in which States fail to protect migrants from human rights violations, explains Helena Olea, associate director for programs at Alianza Americas.
Civil society highlights strong and inclusive partnerships, respect for fundamental rights, and social protection.
Civil society delegates chose four advocacy priorities for the GFMD Summit: social protection, regularization, fighting xenophobia, access to services.
COVID-19 pandemic offers unique window of opportunity to rebuild boldly, creating equitable, inclusive societies that do not leave migrants behind.
