Overview
This training course is organized jointly by International Labour Organisation (ILO), the ILO International Training Centre, and COMPAS within the framework of the Support to EU-China Dialogue on Migration and Mobility Project. The training course aims to enhance the understanding of Chinese policy-makers and practitioners on effective labour migration management so as to maximize the development impact of migration. The course participants will be interacting with International and national experts and practitioners on labour migration and relevant issues in China.
Background
China is one of the main countries of origin of migration flows to OECD countries. Many of these migrants are highly educated. In fact, most of the channels devoted to highly skilled migrants see Indian and Chinese workers receiving the bulk of the permits. At the same time, China has put in place a new immigration law and policies to attract and retain talent. Its rapid economic growth has led to skills shortages, and the extensive presence of foreign companies and investment has brought along foreign workers.
In Europe, despite the recent economic recession and rising unemployment, the workforce is expected to decline by up to 50 million people over the next 50 years, leaving huge gaps in key sectors. However, the concrete task of identifying shortages and matching demand with an adequate supply of migrant workers from outside the EU is a challenging one. From the supply side, such as China, provinces compete to send out skilled workers, but challenges remain in terms of technical and language skills improvement, management of recruitment agencies and adequate pre-departure orientation and preparation of migrant workers to integrate into their host countries.
Migrant workers contribute to the growth and development in their host countries, while their home countries and communities greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired from their migration experience. However, these contributions of migrant workers are not fully recognized and they are often at risk of exploitation and discrimination. They often suffer poor working and living conditions and have difficulty in obtaining social integration and protection.
Participants
The four-day course will be held at Landmark Hotel in Beijing, 20-23 June 2016 for around 30 participants including representatives from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and employment agencies working on labour migration.
Programme
The course will provide an opportunity for participants to attend a range of lectures and interactive activities by leading international and national academics and policy specialists, to better understand the major contemporary issues in labour migration. The course will focus on Labour Migration Policy and its Implementation, including the following modules:
1) Labour Migration in the context of China-EU two-way mobility
2) The regulation of labour emigration
3) Regulating labour immigration
4) Assessing labour market needs
5) Urban transformation / internal migration
6) Rights and protection of men and women migrant workers
7) Labour migration statistics
