In light of migrant workers’ and refugees’ legal and economic vulnerabilities, the proper understanding of the applicable legal framework and rights is key to guaranteeing that they may enjoy dignified employment and living conditions. It is also crucial to their active participation in the host community’s economic growth and societal development, thus overcoming marginalization and disenfranchisement.

Based on the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development’s (ARDD) consultations with the Migrant Workers Committee in Jordan*, further supported by research and analysis, the brief proposes the following 10 recommendations to make refugees’ and migrant workers’ enjoyment of

labor rights a living reality:

1- Invest in quality data gathering in the field of labor rights for migrant workers and refugees.

2- Use disaggregated data to better reflect the specific struggles faced by migrant workers and refugees in different working sectors

3- Build capacity through diversified ‘rights & duties’ education opportunities for both migrant workers and refugees, and for grassroots organizations

working with them.

4- Reinforce the network of migrant workers and refugees as bridges for effective communication and exchange with their communities.

5- Conduct joint advocacy campaigns with local and international organizations to strengthen domestic legal frameworks and policies, as well

as businesses’ compliance with international standards, including on (1) abolition of sponsorship system; (2) preventing confiscation of

passports by employers; (3) harmonization the minimum wage if foreign workers with that of the local labor force; (4) preventing the deportation

of migrant workers during a judicial process.

6- Build effective partnerships with relevant institutions and professional categories (judges, lawmakers, lawyers, businesspeople, law enforcement

agents) to make known the rights of and issues pertaining to migrant workers and refugees and thus enhance their legal and economic

protection.

7- Lobby for a decrease in working permit fees for migrant workers and refugees.

8- Support the creation of inspection systems to identify and address violations of labor rights.

9- Build infrastructures, such as shelters, that can welcome victims of abuse, in order to guarantee their safety and their ability to access justice.

10- Involve traditional and social media in promoting a fair account of the reality experienced by migrant workers and refugees.

*This committee, including 30 representatives of various non-national (migrant worker and refugee) communities in Jordan, is set up and supported through the

ARDD’s Haquna project.