Milestones
Conference on Access to Justice
A pivotal moment in the campaign's journey occurred in October 2022 during the inaugural
Access to Justice Conference. This multistakeholder dialogue brought together diverse
voices, including lawyers, case workers, civil society representatives, trade unions,
government officials, and UN organizations. The challenges highlighted —such as false
charges, difficulties in compensation post-death, prolonged resolution times for wage
reclamation, homelessness, and power imbalances in systems like kafala—were robustly
discussed during the conference.
The dialogue that unfolded during the recent meetings builds upon the progress made
since that initial conference. The primary focus was an in-depth review and analysis of
justice systems and mechanisms in different countries, spanning from the origin to the
destination of migrant workers. A presentation of possible models to address wage theft
was shown, and these insights were enriched by examining the journeys of migrant workers
as they pursued justice.
Among the key recommendations emerging from this dialogue was a call for social
protection for all migrant workers. This recommendation reflects a crucial step forward in
ensuring the well-being and rights of migrant workers globally. The emphasis on social
protection signifies a collective understanding of the need for comprehensive frameworks
that go beyond immediate legal remedies to address the systemic challenges contributing
to wage theft.
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