Joint Committee of Representatives of the Two Human Rights Commissions on the Island of Ireland
The Joint Committee of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human Rights Commission have today (3 December) launched a consultation process on the protection of the human rights of migrant workers on the island of Ireland. The Joint Committee believes that the United Nations’ Migrant Workers Convention is the best international standard to protect these rights and urges both the Irish and UK Governments to ratify this important treaty.
Migrant workers and their families are often disregarded by their countries of origin, face exploitation, and have limited employment rights in States where they are non-nationals. The Migrant Workers Convention identifies migrant workers and members of their families as vulnerable persons who are in need of the protection of their human rights and are entitled to the enjoyment of such rights regardless of their legal status.
Launching the consultation, Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, said:
"Migrant workers are an important part of our new society and need their rights protected just like every other section of our community. We should bring our law and practice at least up to the standard of the Migrant Workers Convention."
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, commented:
"Migrant workers are more likely to experience discrimination in the protection of their employment rights in the work place. We would encourage organisations to take part in the consultation and tell us what are the current challenges experienced by migrant workers so as to strengthen the case for ratification of the Migrant Workers Convention in both jurisdictions."
The Joint Committee is consulting with a wide range of organisations with experience of these issues on what needs to be achieved in convincing both governments to ratify the Convention and to bring law and practice up to the recognised international standard. The consultation paper is available from both Commissions. The closing date for the receipt of responses is 26 February 2010.
ENDS/
Further information
NIHRC
For further information, please contact Claire Martin, Press and Public Affairs Worker, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: (004428) 9024 3987 (office), 0044771 7731873 (mobile).
IHRC
For further information, please contact Fidelma Joyce, Senior Human Rights Awareness Officer, Irish Human Rights Commission, Tel: 00353 (0)1 8589601, Mob: 00353 (0)87 783 4939.
Notes to Editors
1. The Joint Committee consists of all the Commissioners of the two Human Rights Commissions and meets quarterly. It was established by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 "as a forum for consideration of human rights issues in the island of Ireland."
2. The text of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (the Migrant Workers Convention or MWC) can be found at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cmw.htm. The MWC and the rights it guarantees apply to all migrant workers and members of their families without discrimination of any kind during the entire migration process. It provides that all workers, documented and undocumented, should have their basic human rights protected. It also provides extra protection in such areas as equality and family life.
3. The Consultation Document has been sent to a variety of civil society and statutory organisations concerned with matters affecting migrant workers. It asks for their views on the Convention and what changes to law and practice would be needed to protect migrant workers up to its standard. Contributions from other organisations and the general public would also be welcome and the Consultation Document can be found on the web-sites of the two Commissions: www.nihrc.org and www.ihrc.ie