TVETipedia Glossary

Migrant worker

A person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national.

(Source: International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (adopted 18 December 1990, entered into force 1 July 2003) 2220 UNTS 3, Art. 2(1).)

Source:
International Organization for Migration, Glossary on Migration, 2019
International Organization for Migration, Glossary on Migration, 2019
Access resource, available in English
This edition of the IOM Glossary on Migration is an accessible collection of definitions of migration related terminology. It is designed for a broad range of persons engaging with migration at the international level. It also provides some insights on regional and national practices.
The purpose of this edition, like previous versions, is to develop a common understanding and consistent use of migration and migration-related terms based, whenever possible, on international standards. Creating uniformity in language is an
important starting point in migration discourse to ensure an accurate understanding and coherent exchange of information among actors working in the field of migration. Most importantly, it is a fundamental step towards collective and more efficient responses. In some cases, the use of appropriate migration terms can foster an objective and balanced approach to migration, support States in better fulfilling their human rights obligations towards migrants, and have a positive impact on State and public perceptions on migration.

A migrant worker is “a person who migrates or who has migrated from one country to another with a view to being employed otherwise than on his own account and includes any person regularly admitted as a migrant worker” (Article 11(1)) of the ILO Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143).

Source:
ILO, Skills recognition mechanisms for selected occupational profiles of migrant workers in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa, 2022
ILO, Skills recognition mechanisms for selected occupational profiles of migrant workers in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa, 2022
Access resource, available in English
This publication, a feasibility study on skills recognition mechanisms for selected occupational profiles, namely, domestic work and welding, contains a 2-page glossary of selected terms that are relevant in the area. The analysis of the study focused on different economic contexts and labour migration governance mechanisms, namely the intra-regional migration corridor: Ethiopia-South Africa, and the free mobility within a regional economic community (IGAD), with emphasis on the Ethiopia-Kenya migration corridor.