24 May 1984

Meeting 20

Measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers and their families

The Economic and Social Council,

Mindful of the need for international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, intellectual or humanitarian nature and in developing and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recalling in that regard the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and of the International Covenants on Human Rights,

Mindful of the contribution made by migrant workers to the economic growth and the social and cultural development of the host countries,

Noting, in particular, that the problems of migrant workers, which are becoming more serious in some regions for political and economic reasons and for social and cultural reasons, constitute a matter of grave concern and continue to be of the greatest importance to certain countries,

Mindful of the important contribution made by the International Labour Organisation in the protection of the rights of all migrant workers,

Appreciating also the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in matters relating to migrant workers,

Deeply concerned at the fact that, despite the general effort made by Member States, regional intergovernmental organizations and various United Nations bodies, migrant workers are still unable fully to exercise their rights in the social field and in the labour field, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Emphasizing, therefore, the efforts that must still be made effectively to protect the rights of all migrant workers and their living conditions,

Recalling its resolutions 1981/21 of 6 May 1981 and 1983/40 of 27 May 1983, and Commission on Human Rights resolution 1984/61 of 15 March 1984,

Recalling also its resolutions 1980/16 of 30 April 1980 and 1981/35 of 8 May 1981,

1. Welcomes the progress made by the Working Group on the Drafting of an International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families, established in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 34/172 of 17 December 1979;

2. Expresses again its conviction that the drafting of that convention will further facilitate the exchanges of views needed for protecting the human rights and improving the situation of migrant workers and their families;

3. Expresses the hope that substantial progress will be made by the Working Group during the two meetings to be held in 1984 in accordance with General Assembly resolution 38/86 of 16 December 1983, with a view to completing the drafting of the convention during the thirty-ninth session of the Assembly;

4. Decides to consider at its first regular session of 1985 the question of measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers and to monitor the status of work done with a view to protecting the rights of all migrant workers and their families.