Extending social protection to migrant workers in Gulf countries: state of play and next steps for reform
Description
Running order:
00:00 Welcome and opening remarks by Jessica Hagen-Zanker
04:47 Social protection in MENA region, current practices and why reform is needed
14:00 Migrant workers’ rights to social protection in the GCC – new evidence
21:31 Migrants’ experiences of accessing social protection in the GCC
35:00 Q&A - What is driving and hindering progress?
39:00 Q&A - Are there good examples of the portability of social security provisions?
39:20 Q&A - Do policies pay special attention to gendered differences faced by different groups of migrants, and the informal sectors?
46:15 End-of-service indemnity: challenges and reforms needed
58:24 Q&A - Role of countries of origin? Conflicts of interest between
1:04:00 Q&A - To what extent is legislation enforced?
1:09:24 Implications for the international community
About the event
Globally, migrant workers often face multiple challenges and barriers in accessing social protection.
Despite international social security standards, in reality, discriminatory legislation, insufficient monitoring and enforcement, and practical barriers, leave many migrants with low social protection coverage.
The challenges of extending social protection to migrant workers are also present in the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).
This online event explored social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf countries, sharing new insights on current legal provisions, recent trends and possible avenues for progressive reform.
The event was hosted by ODI, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Regional Office for Arab States and with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It builds on ODI’s work with ILO on the project Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers: Exploratory Research and Policy Dialogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
The Arabic translation of this event will be available soon.
Speakers
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Khalil Buhazaa
@Khalil_BuhazaaLabour Affaires Manager, the Council of Ministers of Labour in GCC states
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Luca Pellerano
@luca_pelleranoSenior Social Protection Specialist, International Labour Organization, Regional Office for Arab States
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Lea Bou Khater
@LeaboukhaterSocial Protection Technical Officer, International Labour Organization, Regional Office for Arab States
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Patricia Barandun
@PatriciaBarand3Head of Section Migration and Forced Displacement, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)