Background Note

Mainstreaming of Migration in Development Policy and Integrating Migration in the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda

This paper presents a brief analysis of the importance of labour migration to development outcomes in light of the present debates of the U.N. General Assembly High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development and post-2015 Development Agenda debates. Sustainable, inclusive development requires improved migration governance that incorporates international labour standards, better harmonizes employment and labour migration policies, and fosters the participation of social partners from the world of work. Laws and policies based upon the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda can help to ensure equal treatment and the protection of the rights of migrant workers. The paper provides examples of best practice in social protection and labour market dynamics, including implementation of the ILO’s Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration, and of ILO’s technical cooperation projects relevant to these debates.