Margarita Usova: Migrant workers' interests must be taken into account in developing a common CIS migration space
On September 24, St. Petersburg hosted the 30th meeting of the Council of Heads of Migration Authorities of the CIS member states. The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) was represented at the meeting by Deputy General Secretary Margarita Usova, who delivered a report outlining the trade union position on labour migration and the development of a common CIS migration space.
The GCTU has spent many years working to protect migrant workers and monitoring the situation across the Commonwealth. In the Confederation's view, labour migration rules should put the interests of the worker first. People deserve to know in advance the conditions of their future employment, along with their rights and guarantees.
"The entire labour migration process must be as transparent and safe as possible - first and foremost for the migrant workers themselves," Margarita Usova stressed.
A particular focus of her address was organised worker recruitment. The GCTU believes this system helps prepare people in advance for work abroad: before relocating, the worker receives information about the terms of employment, legal requirements, and the rules of stay.
The GCTU proposed incorporating the principles of social partnership into the Concept of a Common Migration Space. Once the document is adopted, the Confederation plans to continue developing mechanisms for cooperation between trade unions and employers across the CIS.
This includes employment contracts and agreements for workers arriving fr om other countries.
The GCTU also considers it essential to uphold the guarantees set out in the collective agreements of the organisations wh ere migrant workers are employed.
In closing, Margarita Usova emphasised that labour migration issues should be discussed with the involvement of governments, employers, and trade unions alike. For the GCTU, the priority remains defending the labour rights of those who travel to another country for work.
GCTU News
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