UN labour organization reviews migration in 93 countries for new action

Working to develop a new programme of action on worldwide migration, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) today released an up-to-date report on related trends in 93 of its member states.

ILO Migration Survey 2003: Country Summaries says the number of migrants seeking work and security in foreign countries is expected to increase rapidly in the coming decades. Collectively, these people would comprise the world's fifth most populous country if they were grouped in a single political entity.

"In practically every region, the rising mobility of people in search of decent work and human security has been commanding the attention of policy makers," says Manolo Abella, Chief of the ILO's International Migration Programme. "Migration is driven by differences and imbalances among countries and these differences have grown and not shrunk with globalization."

The report will be the basis for a general discussion on migration during the 92nd International Labour Conference which runs through 17 June in Geneva. It includes the latest information on migration trends, conditions, law and practice, its impact on recipient and donor countries while describing national experiences with regulating both migration and migrant employment.

The annual ILO conference debates global social and labour issues, oversees compliance with international labour standards and establishes the agency’s budget.