Different journeys
Workers may be recruited by an agency, hired directly, transferred by an employer or move through a formal labour programme.
About international migrant work
Work changes countries.
Dignity does not.
Migrant workers move across borders to earn, learn and support the people they love. IMWPS explains the journey in plain language so workers can make safer decisions at every stage.
The person behind the paperwork
Who is a migrant worker?
A migrant worker is a person engaged in paid work in a country where they are not a national. People move through many routes and work in every kind of occupation, from construction and care work to hospitality, transport, agriculture and professional services.
Different contracts
Jobs may be temporary, seasonal, project-based, domestic, seafaring or long-term. Protections depend on the applicable law.
Shared needs
Every worker needs truthful information, a clear agreement, safe conditions, fair treatment and a reachable path to help.
A complete migration cycle
Protection begins before recruitment and continues after return.
A safe migration journey is not only the flight. It includes how the job is advertised, what a recruiter charges, whether the contract matches the promise, how the worker lives and works, and what support is available when employment ends.
- 01Plan
Compare opportunities, costs, visas and family responsibilities.
- 02Recruit
Verify the recruiter and employer; receive understandable written terms.
- 03Travel
Carry the correct visa, copies of documents and trusted contact details.
- 04Work
Track pay, hours, safety, housing and any change from the agreed job.
- 05Return
Plan travel, final pay, records, healthcare and reintegration early.
Migration affects a whole household
Families are part of the protection plan.
Before departure, agree on regular check-ins, a private distress phrase and who will keep document copies. Share the employer address, travel plan and trusted support contacts. Use traceable channels for payments and tell family when work or accommodation changes.
- Choose one trusted family contact for emergencies.
- Keep private copies of passport, visa, contract and receipts.
- Agree what to do if a scheduled check-in is missed.
- Protect children and relatives from pressure by recruiters or lenders.
What this system does
Clear information. Safer choices. Trusted routes to help.
IMWPS is a public-information resource. It helps workers prepare questions, preserve evidence, recognize risk and reach the right authority. It is not an emergency service and does not replace country-specific legal advice.
The worker’s safety, informed choice and privacy come before convenience.
Guidance is organized around actions a worker or family can take.
Legal rights and procedures can vary, so official local advice still matters.
Help includes labour authorities, emergency services, embassies and trusted support groups.
Information basis: ILO labour-migration guidance and ILO fair-recruitment principles.
Continue the protection journey
Know the baseline before you accept a job.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.