Migrant workers are disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of COVID-19 on businesses, including through soaring unemployment rates and possible loss of income. Therefore, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has created a preliminary guidance for employers and businesses to enhance migrant worker protection during the current health crisis. 

The guidance includes sections on: 

1. General considerations to enhance migrant worker protection
2. Enhancing safety and health in the workplace
3. Mitigating stress and anxiety related to COVID-19
4. Promoting universal access to health care and insurance
5. Adapting work arrangements
6. Adapting the living conditions of migrant workers
7. Safeguarding the rights of migrant workers in times of crisis
8. Payment of wages and economic well-being of migrant workers
9. Migrant worker access to social protection, including social security
10. Measures to address the unique vulnerability of domestic workers
11. Combating xenophobia and social exclusion during the crisis
12. Ensuring ethical recruitment in periods of crisis
13. Return of migrant workers during the pandemic
14. Communicating with migrant workers
15. Enhancing migrant protection through compliance monitoring and supply chain due diligence
16. Additional resources

Read the full guidance: COVID-19: Guidance for employers and business to enhance migrant worker protection during the current health crisis 

To discuss this topic in the COVID-19 Forum, please follow this link.