International Migrants Day 2025: A window to advance rights for all workers
As the international community marks International Migrants Day 2025, the urgency is clear: rights, social justice, and democracy must extend to every worker, regardless of origin. With the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) planned for May 2026, governments face a pivotal moment to translate the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) into real protections, safer work environments, and fair opportunities for all migrant workers.
The Global Compact for Migration: a framework for dignity and protection
The GCM sets out a broad, practical framework to foster safe, orderly, and regular migration. It emphasizes human rights and labor standards, recognizing that migration should be a choice with genuine options, not a necessity born from precarity. Stakeholders—from policymakers to employers and civil society—are called to align national laws with core principles: non-discrimination, access to justice, fair wages, and safe working conditions for migrants.
Rights at the core: why this matters on International Migrants Day
Rights protections are not abstract ideals; they translate into daily realities: fair contracts, social protections, and protection from exploitation. Migrant workers often face unique vulnerabilities such as language barriers, insecure documentation, or exposure to risky sectors. International Migrants Day 2025 serves as a reminder that safeguarding these workers strengthens democracies and labor markets alike. When migrants enjoy equal access to legal remedies and social protection, communities grow stronger, economies become more resilient, and societal trust deepens.
Democracy in the workplace: inclusive governance and social justice
Democracy within labor systems means more than voting rights. It encompasses collective bargaining, enforceable labor standards, and accessible dispute resolution. For migrant workers, democratic processes in the workplace reduce abuse and improve working conditions. Employers, recruitment agencies, and governments must collaborate to ensure transparent recruitment, fair wages, and pathways to permanent status where appropriate. When migrants participate in decision‑making about their jobs and communities, social justice expands beyond borders to benefit all workers.
Key actions ahead of IMRF 2026
- Strengthen protection mechanisms: implement accessible complaint channels, enforce anti‑trafficking and anti‑exploitation measures, and ensure legal avenues for remedies
- Advance fair labor standards: ensure minimum wages, safe conditions, and equal pay for migrant workers across sectors
- Expand social protections: access to healthcare, education, and social security regardless of migratory status
- Promote formalization and regular pathways: expand legal channels for migration, work permits tied to jobs, and opportunities for pathways to residency
- Foster inclusive governance: include migrant representatives in policy dialogues and oversight bodies, strengthening democratic legitimacy
Global solidarity: the role of governments, businesses, and civil society
Realizing the promises of the GCM requires multi‑stakeholder coalitions. Governments must translate commitments into laws that protect the most vulnerable. Businesses should adopt responsible recruitment practices, offer fair terms, and support workers’ rights regardless of origin. Civil society and international organizations can monitor progress, publish independent evaluations, and push for accountability when abuses occur. International Migrants Day 2025 is a call to action for everyone to contribute to a migration system that treats people with dignity and fairness.
Looking ahead: toward a more just and democratic global labor market
As the IMRF approaches, the momentum to realize “safe, orderly, and regular migration that respects human rights and labor standards” must translate into measurable improvements on the ground. The focus on rights, social justice, and democracy for all workers is not a niche concern—it is essential to sustainable development, inclusive growth, and social harmony across nations. By centering migrants’ rights in policy and practice, we lay a stronger foundation for thriving economies and more resilient communities in the years ahead.
