Managing the Temporary Movement of Foreign Workers

1. Managing the Temporary Movement of Foreign Workers Sophie Nonnenmacher Migration Policy Specialist Migration Policy, Research and Communication Department

2. Structure of the presentation • Introduction: Why promoting labour mobility matters? 2. What is GATS Mode 4? 3. How is labour mobility regulated today? 4. Conclusion: How to achieve policy coherence?

3. certain job categories 1. Why promoting labour mobility matters? Migration regulators’ concerns Global economic gains - Security - Sovereignity - National identity - Social services - Impact on domestic labour markets: Est. USD 150 bl.-200 bl.per year Remittances: USD 318 bl in 2007 • wages Response to employment, demographic, social, environmental challenges

4. 200 million 90 million ? ? 2. What is GATS Mode 4 ? Mode 4 within the overall migration picture Migrants worldwide -- all categories Labour migrants Temporary labour migrants Mode 4: temporary movement of persons for the provision of services

5. 2. What is GATS Mode 4 ? Defining Mode 4 “the supply of a service (…) by a service supplier of one member, through the presence of natural persons of a member in the territory of any other members” (Art. I. 2-d). The Annex : does not apply to measures affecting access to the employment market of a member or to rules on citizenship, residence or employment on a permanent basis. Entry for specific purpose (not in labour market) Mode 4 Temporary

6. 2. What is GATS Mode 4? Defining issues ? • Lack of uniform international definitions • - How long is temporary ? Who are GATS Mode 4 service providers ? • Self-employed or independent service suppliers • Employees of a foreign company who are sent to fullfil a contract • with a host country client • Employees of foreign companies established in the host country (Intra Corporate Transferees) • Business visitors

7. Two sets of realities Developed along parallel tracks Governmental policies & practices for migration management Mode 4 Mode 4: not a migration agreement ; it’s about trade in services 3. Mode 4 within overall migration picture Relevant regulatory framework: Framework governing migration

8. - Meet demand for labour - Protect domestic jobs and wages - Manage intra corporate transferees • Provide domestic business access to services • (contractual service suppliers). - Admissions policy - Labour Market Assessments - Work Permits 4. Tools/Mechanisms for Managing Temporary Labour Migration Migration management: first and foremost at national level a. Countries of destination - Objectives - Promote business or investment more broadly (business visitors). - Tools - Quotas - Economic Needs Tests

9. Philippines Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) 4. Tools/Mechanisms for Managing Temporary Labour Migration b. Countries of origin - Objectives - Place excess labour overseas - Acquire & transfer home skills & resources - Facilitate flow of remittances - Tools - Recruits - Screens - Prepares - Supports Filippino workers for overseas employment

10. - Recognition transnational phenomenon: transnational approaches - Increasingly globalized labour market - Rise of migration on int. agendas 4. Tools/Mechanisms for Managing Temporary Labour Migration Inter-state Cooperation

11. Bilateral labour agreements - All skill levels Regional trade and integration agreements 4. Tools/Mechanisms for Managing Temporary Labour Migration Tools - On the rise - Multiple goals - Increasing Regional Consultative Processes

12. 4. Conclusion: How to achieve policy coherence? Governmental policies & practices for migration management: Unilateral/Bilateral/ Regional/GATS Mode 4 Trade and trade in services policy Economic, social and human Development

13. THANK YOU www.iom.int snonnenmacher@iom.int