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

34. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
172. Measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers

The General Assembly, Affirming the need to establish international cooperation by resolving international problems of an economic, social, intellectual or humanitarian nature and by developing and encouraging human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling in this connexion the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, [1]1of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination[2] and of the International Covenants on Human Rights,[3] Bearing in mind the international instruments elaborated by the International Labour Organisation, notably the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975,[4] and the Recommendation concerning Migrant Workers, 1975 [5]5adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, Taking account of the provisions relating to the question of migrant workers of the Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,[6] Recalling that the family is the natural and fundamental element of society and has a right to protection by society and by the State and that, in this context, the families of migrant workers are entitled to the same protection as the migrant workers themselves, Recognizing, therefore, the need to devote all necessary attention to the families, in particular the children, of migrant workers in all spheres, notably those of housing, health and education, Reaffirming that the relationship between worker and employer is in itself a source of rights and obligations and that consequently a violation, or even a limitation, of those rights of migrant workers may be tantamount to a violation of the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Continuing to express its deep concern at the fact that, despite the general effort made by the States Members of the United Nations, the regional intergovernmental organizations and the various agencies of the United Nations, migrant workers still are not exercising their rights in the sphere of work as defined by the relevant international instruments, Affirming that close co-operation between the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission for Social Development, the International Labour Organisation the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Health Organization will contribute to the search for solutions aimed at improving the situation of migrant workers and their families, Bearing in mind Economic and Social Council resolution 1979/13 of 9 May 1979, Recalling its resolution 33/163 of 20 December 1978,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General of 18 October 1979 and the addendum thereto ;[7]

2. Welcomes the large number of replies submitted by Member States and the international organizations concerned favouring the elaboration of an international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families;

3. Decides to create at its thirty-fifth session a working group open to all Member States to elaborate an international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families;

4. Requests the Secretary-General, in application of the provisions of Economic and Social Council resolution 1979/13, to give the working group all necessary support, with a view to facilitating the elaboration of the international convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and their families;

5. Invites the international organizations concerned to participate in the work of the working group and to co-operate with a view to the elaboration of such a convention.

106th plenary meeting
17 December 1979

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[1] Resolution 217 A (III). [2] Resolution 2106 A (XX), annex. [3] Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex, [4] International Labour Office, Official Bulletin, vol. LVIII, 1975, series A, No. 1, Convention No. 143. [5] Ibid., No. 1, Recommendation No. 151. [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. [7] A/34/535 and Add.l.