The project objective is to research and advocate the promotion of the rights of migrant worker in the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. The focus will be on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in particular Dubai. The reason for the focus on Dubai is that it is the commercial hub of the area and therefore serves as a leader in its trade and investment policies for the GCC as a whole. The project will offer policy recommendations for the promoting of the rights of migrant workers in the GCC.

Human Rights and Labour Standards

As well as the seven core UN human rights treaties, the ILO has outlined four core standards as agreed in eight core conventions in the areas of (1) freedom of association and collective bargaining, (2) the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, (3) the abolition of child labour, and (4) the elimination of discrimination in employment. These, and other relevant standards, will provide the backdrop to the examination of the human rights situation of migrant workers in the GCC as well as mechanisms and procedures that have or may be utilised for the promotion of rights.

Trade, Investment and Labour Standards

As well standards and obligations in the field of human and labour rights, have been supplemented by a burgeoning interest in delineating the responsibilities and good practice of businesses in respect of labour standards. Both the UN Global Compact and the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights (Human Rights Norms for Business) address labour standards and workers’ rights. These ‘top-down’ efforts have been complemented by civil society activism in highlighting egregious worker’s rights standards in respect of particular sectors, companies and countries.
 
There are additional and very tangible trade incentives for Dubai and the UAE to address worker’s rights. If the current negotiations with the US for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are to be successfully concluded, the UAE would need to change its labour code. Furthermore in relation to the EU, the GCC current preferential access to the EU’s market under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) general agreement cannot be enhanced to the GSP+ arrangement unless there is ratification and compliance with the eight ILO Conventions known as ‘core labour standards’. Much progress would be required in the UAE for compliance to these standards.

 
Research Methodology
The aim of the project is three-fold:

1- To examine the existing legal and normative framework with regard to migrant workers in the GCC, with a focus on the UAE and particularly Dubai. This will be in terms of international obligations and normative frameworks, both current and under development as well as an analysis of the conditions of migrant workers.

2- To examine how these laws, norms and policies are being developed, and can be improved further, in order to better protect migrant workers.

3- To address how these laws, norms and policies can best be advanced both from top-down efforts and grassroots activism by civil society actors – businesses and NGOs in particular.