Social Protection for Temporary Migrant Workers: What Programs Serve Them Best?

Abstract

Access to social protection benefits for temporary migrant workers and their families in the receiving and/or sending countries can help to lower the social and financial risks of migrating. This chapter reflects the growing preoccupation of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) with social protection of temporary/circular labor migrants and their families (See Roundtable Session 2.1 on “Inclusion, protection and acceptance of migrants in society – linking human rights and migrant empowerment for development,” GFMD Athens, November 4–5, 2009, and Roundtable Session 2.1 on “Reducing the costs of migration and maximizing human development,” GFMD Puerto Vallarta, November 8–11, 2010). It showcases a conceptual framework for achieving such social protection and a review of country inventories of benefits available in nine OECD countries, Singapore, and six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It assesses these benefits against the conceptual framework and draws policy lessons from the case studies. The key conclusion is that most temporary migrants may be better served by higher or lower range social protection/social risk management programs tailored to their specific risk profile and needs. The option of funded defined contribution schemes is posed as an alternative to end-of-service pay, which in some countries of destination suffers from compliance and enforcement issues