Irregular migration

Irregular migration is undoubtedly one of the most discussed issues in migration management, whether in political debate, in conferences on migration management or on the front page of news dailies. It is by no means a recent phenomenon, although there is reason to believe that it has increased in magnitude and complexity since migration started to attract concerted attention from governments and international organizations in the early 1970s. It was largely in response to concerns about the problems faced by irregular migrants that the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the Convention concerning Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers, 1975 (No. 143). Those same concerns featured strongly in the discussions that led to the finalization of the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families in 1990. Governments, for their part, expend considerable energy on the formulation of legislation and policies to deter irregular migration, including through regularization of status programmes, which some regard as appropriate solutions, while others consider that they do little more than invite further influxes of unauthorized arrivals.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions