Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Global Perspectives on Migration and Development pp 61–85Cite as

Social Protection for Temporary Migrant Workers: What Programs Serve Them Best?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Global Migration Issues ((IOMS,volume 1))

Abstract

Access to social protection benefits for temporary migrant workers and their families in the receiving and/or sending countries can help to lower the social and financial risks of migrating. This chapter reflects the growing preoccupation of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) with social protection of temporary/circular labor migrants and their families (See Roundtable Session 2.1 on “Inclusion, protection and acceptance of migrants in society – linking human rights and migrant empowerment for development,” GFMD Athens, November 4–5, 2009, and Roundtable Session 2.1 on “Reducing the costs of migration and maximizing human development,” GFMD Puerto Vallarta, November 8–11, 2010). It showcases a conceptual framework for achieving such social protection and a review of country inventories of benefits available in nine OECD countries, Singapore, and six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It assesses these benefits against the conceptual framework and draws policy lessons from the case studies. The key conclusion is that most temporary migrants may be better served by higher or lower range social protection/social risk management programs tailored to their specific risk profile and needs. The option of funded defined contribution schemes is posed as an alternative to end-of-service pay, which in some countries of destination suffers from compliance and enforcement issues.

This chapter was prepared by Robert Holzmann (World Bank and IZA) and Yann Pouget (World Bank, Marseille Mediterranean Center for Integration). It draws on key results of a study and report prepared for the GFMD Working Group on Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development, in support of GFMD Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, November 8–11, 2010 (Holzmann and Pouget 2010a). The chapter has benefited from very useful comments and suggestions by Chukwu Emeka Chikezie, Liz Warn (IOM), and participants of the August 2011 Geneva workshop. The content presents the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the opinions either of the World Bank and its executive board or other institutions they are involved with. Contact address of the authors: Robert.Holzmann@iza.org

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    There is no unique distinction between short-term, temporary, and circular migration in the migration literature. The terms “short-term” and “temporary” will be used interchangeably and do not exclude circular migration as repeated return for some of the temporary migrants.

  2. 2.

    Ruhs (2011) has identified a positive correlation between migrant rights in general and social rights in particular and the skill levels for all and temporary migrants (Figures 9 and 10). But he does not differentiate between the types of temporary migrant workers and their benefit programs. Hence, it is unclear if his finding would hold if he were to control for seasonal workers that are typically low-skilled. And the benefits he investigates are only a small subset of those for which temporary migrants may be eligible.

  3. 3.

    For the presentations of a recent World Bank conference on MDCs, see http://go.worldbank.org/2VD4ZF4MK0 or wait for the forthcoming publication (Holzmann and Hinz 2012, under preparation).

  4. 4.

    Such work could be commissioned with a slowly increasing number of policy research centers that focus on migration and social protection issues such as the Labor Mobility Program (by World Bank and IOM at Marseille Center for Mediterranean Integration), IZA (Bonn), Migration Policy Center (University of Florence), and Center on Migration, Policy and Society (University of Oxford).

References

  • Abella, M. (2006, June 28–30). Policies and best practices for management of temporary migration. Paper prepared for the International Symposium on International Migration and Development, UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Turin, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agunias, D., & Newland, K. (2007). Circular migration and development: Trends, policy routes, and ways forward. Washington, DC: Migration Information Source, MPI (Migration Policy Institute).

    Google Scholar 

  • Agunias, D. R., & Ruiz, N. (2007). Protecting overseas workers: Lessons and cautions from the Philippines. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avato, J., Koettl, J., & Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2009). Definitions, good practices, and global estimates on the status of social protection for international migrants (WB Social Protection Discussion Paper No. 0909, Social Protection Unit). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Rosario, T. (2008). Best practices in social insurance for migrant workers: The case of Sri Lanka (ILO Asian Regional Programme on Governance of Labour Migration Working Paper 12). Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forteza, A. (2010). The portability of pension rights: General principles and the Caribbean case. Development Policy Review, 28(2), 237–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R. (2010, August). Bringing financial literacy and education to low and middle income countries: The need to review, adjust, and extend current wisdom (IZA Discussion Paper No. 5114). Retrieved from http://ftp.iza.org/dp5114.pdf

  • Holzmann, R., & Hinz, R. (Eds.). (2012). Matching defined contribution (MDC) Schemes: A promising pension design to enhance converge and benefit level? Washington, DC: World Bank (under preparation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., & Jørgensen, S. (2000). Social risk management: A new conceptual framework for social protection, and beyond (WB Social Protection Discussion Paper 0006, Social Protection Unit). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., & Koettl, J. (2011, May). Portability of pension, health, and other social benefits: Facts, concepts, issues (World Bank, Social Protection Discussion Paper No. 1110). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., & Pouget, Y. (2010a, November 8–11). Social protection for temporary migrant workers: Conceptual framework, country inventory, assessment and guidance. A Study prepared for the Global Forum of Migration and Development (GFMD) Working Group on Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development, in support of GFMD Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., & Pouget, Y. (2010b, December). Towards an objective-driven system of smart labor migration management Economic Premise 42, Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., Koettl, J., & Chernetsky, T. (2005). Portability regimes of pension and health care benefits for international migrants: An analysis of issues and good practices (WB Social Protection Discussion Paper No 0519, Social Protection Unit). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzmann, R., Pouget, Y., Vodopivec, M., & Weber, M. (2012, June). Severance Pay Programs around the world: Rationale, status, and reforms (World Bank, Social Protection Discussion Paper No. 1111). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • ILO. (2006). ILO multilateral framework on labour migration: Non-binding principles and guidelines for a right-based approach to labour migration. Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koettl, J. (2006, May). The relative merits of skilled and unskilled migration, temporary and permanent labor migration, and portability of social security benefits (World Bank, Social Protection Discussion Paper, No 0614).Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthria, M. (2011, January). Labor mobility for the poor: is it really possible? Economic Premise No. 45. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P. (2003). Managing labor migration: Temporary worker programs for the 21st Century. Geneva: (ILO Institute for Labour Studies).

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P. (2005). Towards effective temporary worker programs: Issues and challenges in industrial countries (International Migration Paper No 89, International Migration Program). Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe)., IOM (International Organization for Migration)., & ILO (International Labour Office). (2007). Handbook on establishing effective labour migration policies: Mediterranean edition. Vienna/Geneva: OSCE/IOM and ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhs, M. (2002). Temporary foreign worker programmes: Policies, adverse consequences, and the need to make them work (Perspectives on Labour Migration No 6, Social Protection Sector, International Migration Program). Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhs, M. (2005). The potential of temporary migration programmes in future international migration policy. Paper prepared for the Policy Analysis and Research Programme of the GCIM (Global Commission on International Migration), Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhs, M. (2011). Openness, skills and rights: An empirical analysis of labour immigration programmes in 46 high- and middle- income countries. Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford, WP-11–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz, N., & Agunias, D. R. (2008). Protecting temporary workers: Migrant welfare funds from developing countries (Migration and Development Brief No. 7, Migration and Remittances Team). Washington, DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2009). Extending social security coverage: Good practices, lessons learnt and ways forward (Working Paper No. 12). Geneva: ISSA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vonk, G., & Kapuy, K. (2008). Three approaches to refunding social insurance contributions to temporary migrants workers: Is there an attractive policy alternative? European Journal of Social Security, 10(3), 227–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werding, M., & McLennan, S. (2011, August). International portability of health-care benefits: Concepts and experience (World Bank, Social Protection Discussion Paper No. 11XX). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2001). Social protection sector strategy: From safety net to springboard. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2011, June). Social protection for expatriate workers in Dubai: Retirement and mobility savings accounts. Report prepared for the Emirate of Dubai. Washington, DC. Confidential.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. World Bank, Washington, DC, USA

    Robert Holzmann & Yann Pouget

  2. IZA (Institut fuer die Zukunft der Arbeit), Bonn, Germany

    Robert Holzmann

  3. Marseille Mediterranean Center for Integration, Marseille, France

    Yann Pouget

Authors
  1. Robert Holzmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yann Pouget
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Holzmann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. North Stafford Street 900, Arlington, 22203, Virginia, USA

    Irena Omelaniuk

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Holzmann, R., Pouget, Y. (2012). Social Protection for Temporary Migrant Workers: What Programs Serve Them Best?. In: Omelaniuk, I. (eds) Global Perspectives on Migration and Development. Global Migration Issues, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4110-2_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation