📋 Tender Overview
Migrant workers and refugees face obstacles to access decent work in the Middle East, one of the largest migrant hosting regions, which limits their ability to contribute to their countries of origin and destination. To maximize benefits of migration and reduce harm, Switzerland engages various public and private stakeholders for the promotion of decent working conditions in Jordan, Lebanon and the Gulf, through access to justice, migrant empowerment and addressing worker welfare in the green and just transition.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Jordan
Lebanon
Migration
Gender
Labour migration
Women’s equality organisations and institutions
Forced displacement (refugees, IDP, human trafficking)
01.10.2023 - 30.09.2027
CHF 5’150’000
The project in brief
Background The Middle-East is globally one of the largest migrant hosting regions with more than 41.4 mio migrants and refugees (mixed migration). Although migrant workers make up the largest group in the Arab States, nearly 9.3 million refugees have sought protection in the region. For both migrants and refugees, access to decent work opportunities is vital, as it ensures sustainable income for their communities left home so as their self-reliance at destination and throughout their migration journey. In spite of important human rights violations and decent work deficits in the region, more than a quarter of global remittance outflows come from the region. In spite of the increased international scrutiny, mainly triggered by the Syrian response and mega-events in the Gulf States (Expo, World Cup), and a wave of reforms to labor migration policies in recent years, migrant workers remain largely barred from participation in society, and inadequately protected from right abuses. Pressure on governments and businesses has positively led to changes in policies and some practices, but a lack of transparency and consistent enforcement mean these measures fall short of realising sustainable solutions and systemic change. In line with the MENA strategy, the Swiss engagement is fostering decent work in the region both in a sustainable development and human rights perspective. Geographically it focuses on:
a) Jordan and Lebanon, subject to multiple crisis and hosting labor migrants so as the largest number of refugees as a proportion of their populations globally.
b) On the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), as major labor migration hub that attracts more than 30 mio migrants from Asia and increasingly from Africa.
Objectives Migrants, incl. refugees, have improved working conditions so as access to labor rights in the Middle East and can thereby increase their contribution to sustainable development
Target groups
Workers in low-wage sectors in Jordan and Lebanon, including migrant workers, refugees and working poor nationals (inclusive & cohesive approach)
Migrant workers from Asia and Africa in the Gulf
Indirect beneficiaries: national governments (origin and host coun
