OSCE/ODIHR workshop facilitates exchange of good practices on gender-sensitive labour migration policies in Baltic States

Good practices in applying a gender-sensitive approach to the development of labour migration policies were the focus of a regional workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Riga on 15 and 16 May 2014.

Representatives of national authorities and civil society from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia highlighted the fact that women migrants, who make up more than 50 per cent of the total migrant population in the OSCE region, still face numerous disadvantages in host countries. The discussion focused on ways to address challenges such as gender-based discrimination in employment, unequal treatment in the workplace, and a lack of recognition of professional qualifications and skills.

“The development of gender-sensitive labour migration policies allows governments to introduce measures that prevent discrimination and are beneficial for migrant workers of both genders,” said Juris Gromovs, Migration and Freedom of Movement Adviser at ODIHR. “ODIHR provides support to OSCE participating States in addressing the challenges women migrants face, and to the exchange of good practices in the area of labour migration in general.”

“This is the first workshop on the subject of gender-sensitive labour migration policies conducted by the OSCE in the Baltic States,” said Jānis Citskovskis, Deputy Head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. “We have gained a new perspective on the advantages of incorporating gender aspects into the labour migration management process.”

The workshop was based on manuals and handbooks developed by OSCE in co-operation with the International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Organization.

ODIHR conducts national and regional workshops for government officials, civil society organizations and OSCE field operations within the framework of its migration programme.