Published on 18th December 2024
On December 18, we will observe International Migrants Day – an opportunity to recognize the contributions of migrants to communities worldwide and raise awareness of the challenges they face. During the COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) released a policy paper exploring the critical role migrants play in addressing the global challenges of climate change and skills shortages.
The World Employment Confederation (WEC) members believe that well-designed migration policies enable labour mobility, which is vital for filling skill gaps, supporting economic growth, and ensuring inclusive labour markets. We therefore welcomed the opportunity to work with the IOE on this Green Borders: Policy Recommendations to Improve Talent Mobility paper. The report provides actionable recommendations for governments to align migration policies with climate goals, enable businesses to adapt to environmental challenges, and empower migrants to contribute meaningfully to the transition to a green economy.
The IOE’s report highlights the urgent need to address global green skills shortages, a barrier to achieving net-zero emissions targets. For example, the energy sector alone will require 7 million additional workers by 2030. These gaps pose challenges for both developed and developing countries, underscoring the need for collaboration between governments and the private sector to ensure the deployment of skilled labour. Without adequate preparation, businesses and economies will struggle to meet their sustainability commitments and climate targets.
To meet these demands, the IOE emphasizes adapting migration systems to include legal pathways for green talent. New frameworks should facilitate the recognition of skills and qualifications, making it easier for businesses to hire workers capable of driving the low-carbon transition. The “Hire-Train-Move” model is one proposed solution, allowing migrants to acquire green skills and retrain them in host countries for critical roles. Ethical recruitment practices, coupled with coherent policies across sectors, will be essential to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Promoting ethical recruitment practices is one of our core missions at WEC. We strongly support frameworks like the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fair Recruitment Initiative and Convention No. 181, which prohibit charging fees to job seekers and aim to combat exploitation in recruitment processes. This ensures that migration benefits both workers and businesses, creating fair opportunities for employment and career growth. We also advocate for legal migration pathways to address skills shortages, especially in green-driven industries.
The impacts of climate-related migration extend beyond labour markets, often leading to displacement and labour shortages while exacerbating skills gaps. Governments must adopt policies to address these challenges by promoting formal employment opportunities for migrants and investing in vocational training, language programs, and systems to recognize foreign qualifications. Successfully integrating migrants into the formal economy benefits both local businesses and the migrants themselves, fostering economic resilience. Initiatives like apprenticeships and dual-learning programs can help reskill workers displaced from traditional sectors into roles aligned with low-emission activities.
Attracting and retaining talent is another crucial area highlighted in the report. Governments are encouraged to promote collaboration between businesses and educational institutions to provide training and cross-border opportunities. Programs that support foreign students and workers, such as credential recognition and visa facilitation, are vital. Examples include Egypt’s policy to expand the foreign workforce for green hydrogen projects and the UAE’s Blue Residency Visa, which focuses on attracting professionals in sustainability and renewable energy.
Ultimately, the report stresses the importance of collaboration between businesses and governments. Public-private partnerships are indeed one solution we promote to facilitate migration and labour mobility effectively.
By implementing effective policies, we can transform the ill-perceived image of migrants being a burden to valuing them as integral contributors to host economies and the global green transition.
First published on LinkedIn, December 2024.
