Measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers.

33 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE*
163. Measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of a migrant workers

The General Assembly, Recalling the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights[1] and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,[2] Considering the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975,[3] and the Recommendation concerning Migrant Workers, 1975,[4] adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, Aware of the fact that the problem of migrant workers is becoming more serious in certain regions for transient political and economic reasons and for social and cultural reasons, Recalling that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State and that, in that context, the families of migrant workers are entitled to the same protection as the migrant workers themselves, Bearing in mind the need for the Governments Of host countries and of countries of origin to co-operate with a view to finding satisfactory solutions to the situation of migrant workers, Considering the provisions relating to the question of migrant workers contained in the Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,[5] Recalling its resolution 32/120 of 16 December 1977, Bearing in mind Economic and Social Council resolution 1978/22 of 5 May 1978, Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the field of the education of migrant workers and their families, Having taken note of the report of the Economic and Social Council,[6]

1. Calls upon all States, taking into account the provisions of the relevant instruments adopted by the International Labour Organisation and of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to take measures to prevent and put an end to all discrimination against migrant workers and to ensure the implementation of such measures;

2. Invites all States, particularly host countries, to give the widest possible dissemination, inter alia through the mass media, to information aimed at promoting better public understanding of the contribution of migrant workers to the economic growth and social and cultural development of those countries and at fostering a climate of mutual understanding;

3. Also invites the Governments of host countries to adopt the necessary measures to prevent any activity that might be prejudicial to the interests of migrant workers;

4. Again invites the Governments of host countries to give consideration to adopting definitive measures to promote in their territories a normal family life for migrant workers by reuniting families;

5. Expresses the hope that the Commission on Human Rights will submit to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session of 1979 the study recommended in General Assembly resolution 32/120, on the basis of the concrete proposals formulated by the Working Group established pursuant to Council resolution 1978/22;

6. Calls upon all States to give consideration to ratifying the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975, adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to explore with Member States and in co-operation with the United Nations agencies, particularly the International Labour Organisation, the possibility of drawing up an international convention on the rights of migrant workers;

8. Invites the Governments of host countries to adopt measures to ensure that the children of migrant workers receive genuinely equal treatment in the field of education and training;

9. Also invites those Governments to co-operate with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with a view to enabling migrant workers and their families to benefit from all necessary opportunities in the field of education in order to enable them to participate fully in the life of the society of the host country while preserving their national and cultural identity.

90th plenary meeting
20 December 1978

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[1]2 Resolution 217 A (III). [2]3 Resolution 2106 A (XX), annex. [3]4 International Labour Office, Official Bulletin, Vol. LVIll, 1975, series A, No. 1, Convention No. 143. [4]5 Ibid., No. 1, Recommendation No. 151. [5]6 Report of the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, Geneva, 14-25 August 1978 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.79.XIV.2), chap. II. [6]7 Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-third Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/33/3), paras. 319-321.