The International Labour Organization (ILO) published a new brief on April 16, 2026, urging governments and social partners to strengthen universal social protection for migrant workers, refugees, and displaced people as part of efforts to address climate change and ensure a just transition for all, according to a press release issued from Geneva. The publication is titled Intervention Model: How to extend social protection to migrant workers, refugees and other displaced persons in the context of climate change? and offers practical guidance for policymakers. It frames social protection as essential to building resilience and supporting a fair shift toward more sustainable economies.
Climate change is increasingly driving human movement and worsening existing vulnerabilities, according to the brief. It reduces access to decent work, raises the risk of poverty, and undermines livelihoods. Migrant workers and displaced people often struggle to access social protection due to a range of structural barriers. These include legal exclusions based on nationality or migration status, a lack of recognition of climate-related displacement, and limited access to formal employment. Weak coordination between national social security systems compounds these challenges further.
Administrative and practical obstacles also prevent effective coverage, including lack of documentation, complex procedures, and limited institutional capacity. The brief draws on international human rights principles and ILO standards, reaffirming that access to social security is a fundamental right. It highlights key principles such as equal treatment and non-discrimination, as set out in ILO Conventions and Recommendations. Among the policy measures proposed are strengthening inclusive national social protection systems and ratifying relevant international labour standards. The brief also recommends expanding bilateral and multilateral social security agreements to improve coordination and portability of rights.
Additional measures outlined in the brief focus on reducing administrative barriers, enhancing social dialogue and policy coherence, and developing more flexible responses to climate-related shocks. The document also presents a three-step approach to support implementation at the national level. This approach is centered on tripartite dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and alignment with climate and migration frameworks. These steps are designed to help countries gradually extend social protection coverage to those most affected. The aim is to ensure that no worker is left behind during the transition to more sustainable economies.
The full brief is available on the ILO website, alongside additional resources on the organization’s work on social protection for migrant workers. The publication was released on April 15, 2026, one day before the accompanying news announcement. It represents a concrete tool for policymakers seeking to address the intersection of climate change and labor protection. By proposing a gradual, standards-based approach, the ILO aims to close persistent coverage gaps affecting the world’s most vulnerable workers. The brief signals the organization’s continued commitment to ensuring a just transition that includes all workers, regardless of their migration status.
