Ratify the International Covenant on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) of the International Labour Organization, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and sign the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
Proponent:
Venezuela
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Venezuela
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families is an agreement supported by the United Nations that aims to improve the legal status of migrants with worker status, seasonal and casual workers and their family members. Despite its international commitment, Austria has not yet ratified this convention (see resolution on ratification ICMW: https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXII/A/763). The discrepancy between the signing of international agreements and their actual implementation in national law raises questions and could give rise to a review and possible reassessment of these decisions. This could be an opportunity for Austria to strengthen its commitment to the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers and their family members. The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is an additional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and enables individuals and groups to submit complaints to the United Nations if their rights have been violated. Austria ratified this protocol in 1978. The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is an additional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and allows individuals and groups to submit complaints to the United Nations when their rights have been violated. Austria, however, ratified this protocol in 1978 (see State Report, Concluding Observations of the Committee on wsk Rights: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/dam/jcr:40fa2699-4b9e-450e-a246-fdf4a7dcc164/CESCR_WSK_4_de.pdf). In June 2011, Austria adopted Convention No. 189 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) regarding domestic workers. This agreement sets out an ambitious level of protection for domestic workers under labour law. However, it has not yet been fully implemented at national level. Domestic workers contribute significantly to the global economy by improving employment opportunities for workers with family responsibilities. They provide care for the elderly, children and people with disabilities and create significant income shifts within and between countries. It is crucial that Austria continues to take measures to strengthen the protection of workers, including the ratification of ILO Convention No. 189 on Domestic Workers (see RIS Convention No.189: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/RegV/REGV_COO_2026_100_2_651606/COO_2026_100_2_653149.html). In 2018, the Austrian government decided to withdraw from the UN migration pact. The official vote declaration to the United Nations lists a total of 17 reasons for rejecting the agreement. At the same time, the „Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration“ was adopted, an international agreement of the United Nations that aims to improve international cooperation on migration and strengthen the contribution of migrants to sustainable development. Although this pact is not legally binding, it acts as a co-operative guide to better coordinate migration at different levels – local, national, regional and global. The Austrian government could consider rejoining the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. This would not only promote international cooperation but also support a collaborative approach to more effective migration policies (see Outcome Document of the Intergovernmental Conference on the Adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration:https://www.un.org/depts/german/migration/A.CONF.231.3.pdf).
