This article retraces in some detail the origin and drafting process of the new UN Convention, particularly the successful attempt by key developing countries to side-step the ILO to whom the elaboration of this new Convention should normally have been entrusted. It also provides the author's personal answer to the questions of whether the ILO should seek to revise its existing Conventions or to cover any remaining gaps in the protection of migrants who move from one country to another.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BöhningW. R.1988“The Protection of Migrant Workers and International Labour Standards,”International Migration, 26(2): 133–146. June.
2.
Goodwin-GillG. S.1978International Law and the Movement of Persons between States.Oxford: Clarendon Press.
3.
HasenauM.1990“Setting Norms in the United Nations System: The Draft Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families in Relation to ILO Standards on Migrant Workers,”International Migration, 18(2): 133–157. June.
4.
Human Rights Committee1986General Comments under Article 40, Paragraph 4, of the Covenant: General Comment 15(27)C (The Position of Aliens under the Covenant).Geneva: UN document CCPR/C/21Add.5/Rev.1.
5.
International Labour Office1991International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Governing Body, 249th Session. Geneva: ILO document GB.249/I0/3/2).
6.
International Labour Office1984Report of the Director-General. International Labour Conference, 70th Session. Geneva: ILO.
7.
International Labour Office1980a Migrant Workers: General Survey by the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, International Labour Conference, 66th Session, Report III (Part 4B). Geneva: ILO.
8.
International Labour Office1980b Role and Place of the ILO in the Restructured UN System, Governing Body, 212th Session. Geneva: ILO document GB.212/I0/1/8.
9.
PlenderR.1988International Migration Law, Revised Second Edition. Dordrecht/Boston/London: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
10.
Report of the Economic and Social Council1981a Compilation of Proposals Made by Members of the Open-ended Working Group on the Elaboration of an International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families, Based on Documents A/36/378, A/36/383 and A/C.3/36/WG.1/CRP.1.New York: UN document A/C.3/36/WG.1/WP.1.
11.
Report of the Economic and Social Council1981b Conference Room Paper Submitted by Finland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.New York: UN document A/C.3/36/WG.l/CRP.l/Add.2.
12.
SieghartP.1983The International Law of Human Rights.Oxford: Clarendon Press.
13.
UN ECOSOC1978Commission on Human Rights. Measures to Improve the Situation and Ensure the Human Rights and Dignity of All Migrant Workers.Geneva: UN document E/CN.4/1316.
14.
UN ECOSOC1975Commission on Human Rights, Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. Exploitation of Labour through Illicit and Clandestine Trafficking. Note by the Secretary-General and study by Ms. H. Embarek Warzazi. Geneva: UN document E/CN.4/SUB.2/L.629.
15.
UN General Assembly1990Programme Budget Implications of Draft Decision A/C.3/45/L.62.New York: UN document A/C.5/45/60.
16.
UN General Assembly1988Report of the Open-ended Working Group on the Drafting of an International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families.New York: UN document A/C.3/43/7.
17.
UN General Assembly1986Resolution adopted by the General Assembly 40/144. Declaration on the Human Rights of Individuals Who Are Not Nationals of the Country in Which They Live.New York: UN document A/RES/40/144.
18.
UN General Assembly1983Report of the Open-ended Working Group on the Elaboration of an International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families.New York: UN document A/C.3/38/5.
19.
UN General Assembly1981Measures to Improve the Situation and Ensure the Human Rights and Dignity of All Migrant Workers.New York: UN document A/36/378.
20.
UN General Assembly1980Report of the Open-ended Working Group.New York: UN document A/C.3/35/13.
21.
ValticosN.1979International Labour Law.Deventer: Kluwer.