International Migrants’ Day

new-zealand-council-of-trade-unions

Wed Dec 18 2002 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

International Migrants’ Day

Wednesday, 18 December 2002, 4:17 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has joined unions around the world in calling for equal rights for migrant workers on International Migrants Day.

“With migrants in New Zealand subjected to a barrage of racist attacks, it is timely today to acknowledge that migrants must be entitled to equal rights and treatment at work,” said CTU president Ross Wilson.

Ross Wilson said 150 million migrants make up 2% of the world's population, with 100 million of these migrants in the workforce.

“Economic globalisation and the resulting development disparities have forced thousands of people to leave their home countries and seek work in wealthier countries,” he said.

“Only too often these workers are subjected to discrimination and exploitation.”

Ross Wilson said the CTU supported, along with good settlement policies for migrants to adjust to their new countries, increased protections at international and national levels to promote and ensure equal rights for migrants.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has been campaigning for several years with human and migrants' rights associations to obtain the ratification of the international conventions providing for equal treatment for migrant workers in terms of jobs, wages, social security and union rights.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}

Using Scoop for work?

Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.

Join Pro Individual Find out more

Find more from New Zealand Council of Trade Unions on InfoPages.