Frequently Asked Questions about the MWC:

• What is the Migrant Workers’ Convention (MWC)?

The UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, or the Migrant Workers’ Convention (MWC) is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1990 protecting the rights of migrant workers and their family members.

• What rights does the MWC protect?

MWC guarantees the rights of migrant workers - both documented and undocumented - with regard to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It also protects family members of migrant workers.

• Why is the MWC important?

The MWC is the principle United Nations treaty providing protections for the rights of migrant workers and their family members. While it is not perfect, it is a positive step forward, and contains broader protections for migrants’ rights than most national legislation.

• How can the MWC be used to protect migrants’ rights?

If a country has ratified the MWC: The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families overviews the implementation of the MWC. NGOs can submit information to the Committee to bring attention to violations of migrants’ rights.

If a country has not ratified the MWC: NGOs and other groups can use the Convention for advocacy, public education and analysis.

• Is the MWC legally binding for my country?

If your country has ratified the MWC, it has the obligation to protect the rights guaranteed in the Convention. Till now only 39 States have ratified the MWC.

• What is ratification?

Ratification is a procedure by which a state becomes Party to a treaty. Once it has ratified the State is legally bound. Signature often proceeds ratification, and it creates the obligation for the State to refrain from acts that would defeat the objectives of the Conventions or to take measures to undermine it, and implies a commitment to ratify.

The MWC guarantees rights for all migrant workers including:

• right to non-discrimination and equal protection

• right to education for migrant children

• right to access to educational and social services

• right to join trade unions

• right to emergency medical care

• right to the equal treatment with nationals with regards to pay, conditions of work, and social security benefits

• and for “documented” migrants, the right to vote and be elected

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