29 May 1985

23rd plenary meeting

Welfare of migrant workers and their families

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1979/12 of 9 May 1979, 1981/21 of 6 May 1981 and 1983/16 of 26 May 1983,

Having taken note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the social situation of migrant workers and their families,

Concerned by the fact that the changing conditions of international migration resulting from current economic trends adversely affect the situation of migrants, whether they remain abroad under increasingly difficult conditions or return to their country of origin,

Aware of the new needs and problems emerging as a result of the changing migration patterns of migrant workers and their families,

Noting with concern the inadequacy or lack of programmes and social services to help migrant workers to adapt themselves to the language, culture and customs of the host country, and to settle down in decent material conditions and send for their families,

Recalling that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State and that, in that context, the families of migrant workers are entitled to the same protection as the migrant workers themselves,

Noting with appreciation 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 accordance with General Assembly resolution 34/172 of 17 December 1979,

Recognizing the need for further efforts at the national, bilateral, regional and international levels to improve the social situation of migrant workers and their families,

1. Invites Member States to establish and/or expand programmes and services designed to improve the welfare of migrant workers and their families and to meet the new needs and problems emerging as a result of the changing circumstances of the international migration of labour;

2. Emphasizes that such programmes should give major attention to the protection of families of migrant workers and to a substantial improvement in the conditions for genuine integration of members of migrants' families, particularly women, children and youth, into the host society; special care should be paid to the education of children, so that they maintain and develop the knowledge of their maternal language and their cultural heritage;

3. Invites Member States, both countries of origin and host countries, to facilitate the reintegration of migrant workers and their families in the case of their return to their country of origin; the participation of the host country in that process is not to be regarded as a moral obligation only, but rather as a way of assisting those who actively contributed to building up the economy of the host country;

4. Affirms the need for the Governments of the Member States concerned to enact or strictly apply legislation to prevent or punish discriminatory or xenophobic activities against migrants, to enable the migrant workers to enjoy the benefits of association within the law;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with intergovernmental organizations, specialized agencies and organs of the United Nations system, to prepare a document incorporating guidelines for establishing social services for migrant workers and their families;

6. Also requests the Secretary-General to encourage operational activities within available resources, and to consider the implementation of measures based on studies already conducted by the United Nations and the other international organizations concerned to benefit migrant workers and their families;

7. Invites the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to continue and strengthen their efforts in this field, in co-operation with the United Nations;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission for Social Development, at its thirtieth session, on the progress made in strengthening programmes designed to improve the social situation of migrant workers and their families and in meeting the needs and problems emerging as a result of the changing conditions of international migration.