Coronavirus: fate of migrant workers worries ILO

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The International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday that millions of migrant workers, faced with unemployment due to the Covid-19 disease, would return to their countries of origin, with the risk of " serious social and economic consequences ”.

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The International Labor Organization speaks of a "  crisis in the crisis  ". With the easing of containment measures, 164 million workers, half of whom are women, are forced to return home. They represent almost 5% (4.7%) of the global workforce. Nepal, for example, awaits the return of 500,000 people, Ethiopia that of 200,000 to 500,000 people. India, on the other hand, has already repatriated 220,000 workers . 

But the ILO is concerned that these countries will not be able to integrate such a large number of workers, especially if these returns take place "  in a short period of time  ", without help to integrate the labor market and without social protection. 

The International Labor Organization is also worried about migrants still stranded in host countries who do not have enough money for food and shelter, and no social assistance. In addition, those who have a job have lost a large part of their wages because of the pandemic. "  They are forced to live in housing on cramped sites where physical distance is impossible  ". They are therefore particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. 

The ILO therefore requests that measures be taken to protect all these foreign workers in their country of origin, as well as in their host country. "  If these measures are good, the return of these workers can contribute to economic recovery,  " said the organization.

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