ILO Calls for Urgent Expansion of Social Protection to Safeguard Migrants Amid Climate Crisis

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has issued a compelling call for governments and social partners worldwide to urgently expand universal social protection systems to include migrant workers, refugees, and displaced populations, warning that climate change is rapidly intensifying vulnerabilities and driving unprecedented human mobility.

In its newly released policy brief, "Intervention Model: How to extend social protection to migrant workers, refugees and other displaced persons in the context of climate change?", the ILO sets out a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers to address the growing intersection between climate change, migration, and social inequality.

Climate Change Reshaping Migration and Livelihoods

The ILO underscores that climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but a direct and escalating driver of human displacement. Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and ecosystem degradation are forcing millions to leave their homes, often in search of survival rather than opportunity.

This climate-induced mobility is placing immense pressure on labour markets and social systems, particularly in developing and climate-vulnerable regions. According to global estimates, tens of millions of people could be displaced internally by climate impacts in the coming decades, with cross-border migration also expected to rise.

The brief highlights that such displacement often results in:

• Loss of livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and informal sectors

• Increased exposure to poverty and exploitation

• Limited access to decent work opportunities

• Heightened social and economic marginalisation

Social Protection as a Critical Climate Response Tool

At the core of the ILO's message is the recognition that social protection systems—such as cash transfers, unemployment benefits, health coverage, and pensions—are essential tools for building resilience and enabling adaptation to climate shocks.

"Social protection is not only a safety net, but a cornerstone of a just transition," the brief emphasises, linking inclusive welfare systems to broader climate and development goals.

However, migrant workers and displaced persons remain among the least protected groups globally. Structural and systemic barriers continue to exclude them from national social security frameworks, leaving millions without basic protections.

Persistent Barriers to Inclusion

The ILO identifies multiple obstacles that prevent effective access to social protection for these populations:

• Legal exclusions based on nationality or migration status

• Lack of recognition of climate-related displacement in policy frameworks

• Limited access to formal employment, which is often a prerequisite for benefits

• Fragmented coordination between national social security systems

• Administrative challenges, including lack of documentation and complex procedures

• Institutional capacity gaps, particularly in low-income countries

These barriers not only deepen inequality but also undermine broader efforts to manage migration and climate risks effectively.

Grounding Policy in Rights and International Standards

Reaffirming its rights-based approach, the ILO stresses that access to social security is a fundamental human right, enshrined in international labour standards and human rights instruments.

The brief calls for adherence to key principles such as equal treatment and non-discrimination, as outlined in ILO Conventions and Recommendations. It argues that inclusive social protection systems are essential to ensuring fairness and social cohesion in the face of global transitions.

Policy Solutions for Inclusive Protection

To bridge existing gaps, the ILO proposes a set of actionable policy measures aimed at gradually extending coverage to migrants and displaced populations:

• Strengthening universal and inclusive national social protection systems

• Ratifying and implementing relevant international labour standards

• Expanding bilateral and multilateral social security agreements to ensure portability of benefits across borders

• Reducing administrative and procedural barriers to access

• Enhancing social dialogue among governments, employers, and workers

• Improving policy coherence across climate, migration, and labour frameworks

• Developing adaptive and shock-responsive systems to address climate-related risks

These measures are designed to create more flexible, responsive systems capable of addressing both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges.

A Three-Step Framework for Implementation

To support countries in translating policy into practice, the ILO outlines a structured three-step approach:

1. Tripartite Dialogue – Engaging governments, employers, and workers' organisations to build consensus and ensure inclusive policymaking

2. Evidence-Based Policymaking – Using data and research to design targeted and effective interventions

3. Policy Alignment – Integrating social protection strategies with national climate action plans and migration policies

This integrated approach aims to ensure that social protection systems evolve in tandem with the realities of climate change and human mobility.

Toward a Just and Inclusive Transition

The ILO's brief arrives at a critical juncture, as countries grapple with the dual challenges of accelerating climate change and rising displacement. It positions social protection as a central pillar of a "just transition"—ensuring that no one is left behind as economies shift toward sustainability.

By prioritising inclusion, coordination, and rights-based policies, the ILO argues that governments can not only protect vulnerable populations but also strengthen economic resilience and social stability in an increasingly uncertain world.