Decent Work for Migrants in the Middle East
This program contributes to decent work opportunities for migrants and refugees in the Middle East which is one of the largest migrant hosting regions globally due to economic demands and displacement from conflict. It complements the focus on Asian migrants with migrants from Africa and seek closer partnership with the private sector. Due to its relevant expertise and experience in decent work and fair recruitment, Switzerland is well placed to contribute to an improved protection and an enhanced wellbeing of migrant workers and self-reliance for refugees, to maximize the productive potential of migration, and to counter irregular and unsafe migration.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Jordan Lebanon MENA Regional |
Employment & economic development Migration
SME development
Labour migration Remittance Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships) |
15.07.2019
- 31.10.2024 |
CHF 9’000’000
|
- International Labor Organization
- International Organisation for Migration
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Other UN Organisation
- Foreign private sector North
- Swiss Private Sector
- United Nations Development Programme
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
INDUSTRY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
Remittance facilitation, promotion and optimisation
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development
Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
Cross-cutting topics Crisis prevention
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F08346
Background | Migration to the Middle East is undergoing change. Increasing number of migrant workers originate from Africa, demand for migrant domestic workers (mainly women) is surging, and large-scale infrastructure projects are dwindling as a result of economic transformation, which will lead to a decrease of blue-collar worker in the region. Addressing forced displacement, which is becoming increasingly protracted and confronted with funding shortfalls, requires long-term approaches that enhance self-reliance and durable solutions alongside protection interventions. |
Objectives | The overall objective of the program is to enhance the productive potential of labor migration and the wellbeing of migrant and refugee workers through improved labor migration regulations and processes as well as targeted services. |
Target groups |
Migrant and refugee workers in low-skilled occupations (domestic work, construction, service sector, garment sector, etc.) in the Middle East. National governments and regional inter-governmental bodies (Abu Dhabi Dialogue, UN Working Group on Migration in Arab States) Private sector, social enterprises employers and business associations, individual employers Civil society organizations, research institutes and think-tanks |
Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: National and regional-level initiatives strengthen labor migration governance along key migration corridors with Asia and Africa. Outcome 2: Women and men migrant and refugee workers are enabled to sustain the social and economic benefits of safe and regular migration Outcome 3: Private sector actors and employers make targeted efforts to improve work conditions for migrant and refugee workers in low skilled sectors. |
Results |
Expected results: High quality data and research on migration and development in the Middle East is produced National, regional and interregional dialogues and initiatives contribute to increased collaboration and monitoring of international commitments Skilling (vocational, language, IT) opportunities are provided to migrant workers and digital financial services for remittance transfers are available Private sector actors participate in initiatives that address migration challenges and harness the benefits of migration. Results from previous phases: Significant policy reforms have been adopted across the region, which underscores a dynamic environment and continued improvements to the governance of labor migration. SDC has an exceptionally strong profile as the main bilateral donor on migration & development in the region. This provides opportunities for leverage in- and outside the Middle East. African migration to the Middle East is on the increase. Maintaining of existing protection levels for workers and experience-sharing with Asian sending countries will be key. SDC’s protection focus remains central; but a complementary engagement on harnessing the benefits of migration will improve its programmatic impact. Businesses and employers can be important allies that share SDC objectives. Closer ties with the private sector going forward will strengthen the alliance for policy reform. |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Credit area |
Development cooperation |
Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO Private sector Foreign state institution United Nations Organization (UNO) |
Coordination with other projects and actors |
RDPP, FAIRWAY Global, SDC/HA, SDC/SC, SDC/CEP, SEM, HSD, Embassies of Switzerland in the Gulf |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 9’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 8’954’191 Budget of the organisation CHF -1 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 14’830’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 23’830’000 |
Project phases |
Phase
4
01.10.2023
- 30.09.2027
(Current phase)
Phase 3 15.07.2019 - 31.10.2024 (Active) Phase 2 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2019 (Completed) Phase 1 01.05.2012 - 31.07.2015 (Completed) |