‘Regulate Migrant Wages’

The Migrating Out Of Poverty (MOP) Research Consortium under the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana has called on relevant state agencies to regulate the wages of migrants in the informal sector.

According to the consortium, migrants who normally engage in jobs in the informal sector are often cheated and paid less because there is no regulation of their wages.

The recommendation was made at a workshop for the dissemination of findings of research undertaken on the livelihood strategies and wellbeing of migrants in low-paid and insecure occupations (construction and domestic) in Accra.

The research was conducted using data collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and non-participant observation.

The findings showed remarkably low wages paid to migrants in the domestic and construction sectors.

The study, which examined the experiences, livelihood strategies and wellbeing of migrants engaged in the these two sectors, revealed that in most cases there are no formal contracts for migrants domestic and construction workers.

Dr. Joseph K. Teye, MOP Research Coordinator, presenting the key findings of the research, said the decision to migrate rather than engage in local income-generating activities was based on few jobs and low wages, among others.

When it comes to the wages received by the migrants, men earn higher than women because the tasks performed by women are undervalued, Dr Teye said.

'Women who often engage in these jobs have no formal training, and roles are not clearly defined. They are younger than their male counterparts and they tend to live with their employers which reduces their wages,' he said.

Dr. Teye further noted that there are instances of exploitation for both men and women working in these sectors.

'Migration to urban areas for these precarious jobs must not be seen as bad, as it offers opportunity to poor migrants to provide useful services and also earn income to enhance their wellbeing,' he said.

In line with this, relevant stakeholders were called upon to intensify public education on the rights of migrant domestic and construction workers.

Dr. Delali Badasu, Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, urged the media to help with the further dissemination of the findings to help influence government policies.

Most research work end with publications in journals and books however with the onward dissemination through the media it would helps to improve lives of people.

'The media over the year has grown its interest in migration issues which is a good thing and I want to urge them to continue because there are some benefits to the individual and the society as well,' she said.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri