Scaling Migrant Worker Rights: How Advocates Collaborate and Contest State Power

Sending states and meso-level institutions such as labor unions and worker centers are essential in managing diasporas and holding governments of immigrant destinations accountable at the local level. Scaling Migrant Worker Rights analyzes how organizations put tactical pressure on government bureaucracies to holistically defend migrant rights, resulting in a nuanced, multilayered picture of the impediments to and potential realization of migrant worker rights.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

As the global migration landscape continues to evolve, sending states assume a crucial role in overseeing their diasporas, often intervening to safeguard the labor and human rights of their citizens in receiving states. At the same time, meso-level institutions, such as labor unions, worker centers, legal aid groups, and other immigrant advocates, emerge as prominent actors holding governments of immigrant destinations accountable at the local level. Advocates for a functional immigrant worker rights regime envision a portable, universal system of justice and human rights that leverages the intricacies of local enforcement. By examining the cases of Mexico and the United States as entry points, "Scaling Migrant Worker Rights" delves into the strategies employed by a diverse array of organizations to exert tactical pressure on government bureaucracies, ultimately resulting in a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal of the barriers to and prospects for realizing migrant worker rights.

Introduction:
The increasing mobility of people across borders has brought about a growing demand for effective management of diasporas. Sending states, as the origin countries of migrants, play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being and protection of their citizens while they are in foreign territories. In some cases, these states may even intervene to safeguard the labor and human rights of their migrant workers in receiving states.

Meso-Level Institutions:
Meso-level institutions, such as labor unions, worker centers, legal aid groups, and other immigrant advocates, are crucial in holding governments of immigrant destinations accountable at the local level. These organizations work tirelessly to advocate for the rights and interests of migrant workers, providing them with legal assistance, social support, and empowerment.

Functional Immigrant Worker Rights Regime:
Advocates for a functional immigrant worker rights regime envision a portable, universal system of justice and human rights that can effectively address the challenges faced by migrant workers across different countries. This system would encompass legal protections, labor standards, and social welfare provisions to ensure that migrant workers are treated with dignity and respect.

Challenges and Opportunities:
While the potential for a functional immigrant worker rights regime is promising, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. One of the primary challenges is the lack of comprehensive legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms in many countries, which leaves migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Additionally, cultural barriers, language difficulties, and discrimination can further exacerbate the risks faced by migrant workers.

Scaling Migrant Worker Rights:
To address these challenges, "Scaling Migrant Worker Rights" analyzes how a diverse array of organizations put tactical pressure on government bureaucracies to holistically defend migrant rights. The book explores the strategies employed by these organizations, including advocacy campaigns, legal interventions, grassroots mobilization, and social media campaigns, to advocate for the rights and interests of migrant workers.

Conclusion:
As international migration continues to shape the global landscape, sending states and meso-level institutions play a vital role in managing diasporas and ensuring the protection of migrant workers' rights. By advocating for a functional immigrant worker rights regime and leveraging the power of meso-level institutions, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384453