Original Language
English
Number of Pages
111
Reference Number
ENG0422
Date of upload

24 Nov 2015

The Other Migrant Crisis - Protecting Migrant Workers against Exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa

This report is the result of a policy research project and summarizes findings from a literature review, analysis of case data of the vulnerable, exploited and trafficked migrant workers who are being assisted through the project, focus groups with vulnerable migrants, and round-tables with governments and NGOs and international organizations in two sending (Ethiopia and Philippines) and two receiving (Jordan and Lebanon) countries. The report will be used to inform government, civil society and the general public of providing better protection to exploited and trafficked migrant workers in Middle East and North Africa.

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • List of acronyms
  • List of tables
  • List of figures
  • Executive summary
  • Introduction
    • Methodology
    • Research design
    • Notes on terminology
  • Chapter I - Trafficking situation among the migrant population in the mena region
    • Types of trafficking and exploitation
    • Factors increasing vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking
    • Experiences of trafficking in the region
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter II - Existing protection mechanisms and identified gaps
    • Legal and policy framework for protection
      • Regional actions
      • International agreements
      • National legal frameworks on counter-trafficking and exploitation
      • Addressing discrimination
      • The role of the kafala system in preventing workers from leaving abusive employers without permission
      • Widespread practice of passport withholding
    • Measures to prevent prosecution or detention of victims
      • Victim identification
      • Victim support
      • Legal assistance, participation and right to remain
      • Responding to the specific needs of child victims
      • Repatriation 
      • Preventing re-trafficking through reintegration
    • Labour- and immigration-related measures
    • Stakeholder collaboration
    • Conclusion
  • Chapter III - Measures to increase protection
    • Labour-receiving governments
      • Ensuring government focus and coordination
      • Improving identification of victims and legal protections for migrant workers
      • Improving victim support
      • Monitoring employers and recruitment companies
      • Combating xenophobic attitudes
    • Country-specific recommendations
    • Conclusion
  • Appendix A - Trafficking responses in five target countries
    • Egypt
    • Iraq 
    • Jordan
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Lebanon
  • Appendix B - Activities under IOM’s PAVE Project
    • Regional dialogue
    • Study visit
    • Regional campaign