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John Manzongo in Turin, Italy
Female labour migrants are more exposed to the risk of being exploited in both country of origin and receiving country, according to International Labour Organisation findings.
Addressing participants to a social and professional reintegration of return labour migrants course here yesterday, International Training Centre of International Labour Organisation programme manager Ms Mirriam Boudraa said women migrant workers face a lot of challenges compared to their male counterparts.

“To start with woman require maternity protection from their employers and sometimes we realise that it is hard for them to get it in their home countries, it surely is difficult for them when they go out to seek employment elsewhere. Biologically women are of a weaker disposition unlike man and when the going gets tough they easily give in to the pressure.

“Research has shown that many of the trafficked migrant workers are women and they usually suffer in silence either because they are afraid or that they are concerned about the future of their children or dependants who they would have left in their home countries. There is greater need for labour social partners to clearly formulate policies that correct such disparities,” she said.

Ms Boudraa said ILO has no army to force countries, employers in both countries of origin or receiving to treat workers humanely but depend on the sincerity of those nations based on their ratifications of various ILO conventions.

“ILO has no army to enforce or punish countries or employers who violate labour migrant rights but there is great need for negotiations and liaison between governments on how they should treat migrant workers,” she added.

She added that it was important for migrant workers to obtain accurate information about the jobs they have been offered abroad and must cross-check the authenticity of the organisations or recruiting agencies as many are just attracted by the lavish promises which always prove to be non-existent. They also need to have proper documentation, such as  passports and visas.

She said African migrants usually circulate within their region unlike Asians and Latin Americans who usually go out. Various countries and continental migration trends are also being used as part of the learning curriculum to enable participants to relate or identify the areas that need critical attention.