Protecting the rights of migrants in the labour force: adopting a rights-based approach to labour migration
Online
Protecting the rights of migrants in the labour force: adopting a rights-based approach to labour migration
16 February–27 March 2026
The course is available in English
Key features
ORGANIZED APPROACH
The course is organized into three main technical blocks:
- Block I: International Labour Standards and Mechanisms of Control
- Block II: Empowering vulnerable groups
- Block III: Access to Justice for migrant workers
INTEGRATED E-LEARNING
An innovative e-learning experience combining self-paced modules, webinars and discussions, case studies, forum debates, and group work using up-to- date learning methods and technologies. The course concludes with an individual final assignment.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
An action-oriented, highly participative approach will be used, with particular attention devoted to sharing international experiences with a view to their adaptation and practical application.
Introduction to the course
Labour migration is a defining feature of today's globalized world. The majority of people who cross borders do so in search of decent work, and nearly half of them are women. Migrant workers are a vital part of the global economy-contributing skills, labour, and innovation. Yet many face severe decent work deficits, including poor working conditions, lack of social protection, exclusion from labour rights, and vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. Maximizing the development potential of labour migration while upholding human dignity requires policies and practices rooted in the protection of migrant workers' rights. The International Labour Organization (ILO), with its unique tripartite structure and normative mandate, has long led global efforts in promoting fair and rights-based labour migration governance. This online course draws upon the ILO's extensive body of research, tools, and the practical experience of its constituents-governments, employers, and workers' organizations-across diverse migration contexts. It provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the international labour standards relevant to migrant workers and other international human rights instruments.
Who attends this course?
This course is designed for professionals and practitioners actively engaged in the governance of labour migration and the protection of migrant workers' rights. It is particularly relevant for: Policy-makers and senior officials from ministries responsible for labour, employment, migration, social affairs, and foreign affairs; Representatives of employers' and workers' organizations, particularly those involved in tripartite social dialogue on migration governance; Staff of UN agencies, international organizations, and regional bodies working on migration, labour mobility, and social protection; Civil society actors and NGOs advocating for the rights and welfare of migrant workers; Consultants and practitioners involved in programme design, implementation, or research related to migration and labour rights.
What topics does this course cover?
This course is divided into three blocks focusing on the following core elements:
l. International labour standards and mechanisms of control
- Overview fundamental international and regional legal instruments protecting migrant workers
- Key International Labour Standards relevant for protecting migrant workers
- Unpacking the specific ILO instruments protecting migrant workers’ rights
- Monitoring and supervisory mechanisms (including ILO supervisory system)
ll. Empowering vulnerable groups to enjoy their labour rights
- Overview of different types of discrimination vulnerable groups face, particularly xenophobia
- ILO Conventions addressing Gender Equality and their role in the protection of migrant workers rights.
- Specific challenges faced by irregular migrant workers and the impact on working conditions
- Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers in an Irregular Situation and Addressing Irregular Labour Migration
lll. Access to Justice for migrant workers
- Evaluation of existing remedies and current challenges
- Monitoring mechanisms and collaboration
- Judicial and quasi-judicial mechanisms
- Dispute resolution mechanisms at workplace and sectoral levels
What will I be required to do during the course?
Course learning materials and tuition will be offered online in English. The following requirements are therefore essential to participate in this course:
- The ability to use and access a computer with internet
- Working knowledge of written English
- The availability to dedicate per week between 5-10 hours to the course.
What will I be able to do?
Upon completion of the course, participants will have:
- Enhanced their knowledge of international labour standards protecting migrant workers and the ILO supervisory mechanism;
- Deepened their understanding of the necessary institutional mechanisms, policy frameworks, and coordination instruments for equal access to migrants’ rights;
- Analysed the multiple discrimination migrants face in vulnerable situations, particular irregular migrants;
- Become familiar with the different responses to these vulnerabilities and needs at different stages of the migration process: pre-departure, in transit, during residence and on return;
- Discussed the gap between the rights migrants hold by virtue of law, and their practical implementation;
- Enriched understanding of solutions and policy measures to ensure access to justice for migrant workers.
Why should I join?
The Turin Centre is known for its innovative learning tools and methodologies.
- Course facilitators are subject matter experts and specialists
- Training delivery includes interactive online learning opportunities
- Participants exchange knowledge and ideas by engaging in a group work during the course as well as in interactive peer-to-peer discussions
- Expansion of the professional network of participants
- This course qualifies for the ITCILO Diploma for Labour Migration Experts and Practitioners. Take the Academy on Labour Migration, three courses out of all eligible courses within a five year period, and complete a capstone project to become part of a global cadre of practitioners and experts with a recognised set of skills in labour migration policy.
It was a very rich training course that will enable me to represent workers in better conditions during the social dialogue with the Government and also to give better decisions at the labour court in my capacity as assessor judge.
Mohamed Lamine Ouedraogo
onfederal Secretary in charge of standards and socio-professional issues, Burkina Faso
How?
The course consists of a number of online modules offered through the e-Campus online platform to be completed over a period of six weeks and for an estimated 60 learning hours.
The course is broken down into three phases:
- Pre-course learning: Flexible (asynchronous) self-guided online learning on e-Campus and a weekly quiz.
- “Real time” learning: Live interactive sessions and engaging video presentations by highly experienced trainers, blended with a collaborative group exercises throughout the course based on legal case studies, and online technical forums on e-Campus.
- End of course assignment: Individual assignment applying the participants’ context
Participants who successfully complete all assessments and the final assignment will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
How to apply?
Interested candidates should register on-line clicking on the “APPLY NOW” button at the top-right of the page.
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Proven work experience in relevant field;
- Submission of a letter of sponsorship to cover the total course fees
Costs and payment
The cost of participation is payable in advance by the participant or his or her sponsoring organization.
