Migrant workers are often prevented from obtaining coverage by social security schemes. They risk the loss of entitlement to social security benefits in their country of origin due to their absence, and may at the same time encounter restrictive conditions under the social security system of the host country.
An important means to overcome these disadvantages is the establishment of bilateral or multilateral social security agreements. Their objective is to coordinate two or more national social security schemes in cases where migrant workers have worked in at least two countries.
The promotion of such bilateral or multilateral social security agreements is the main objective of the MIGSEC project being implemented from 2008 to 2010. The project is financially supported by the German government and is implemented by the ILO Regional Office in Africa in close cooperation with the ILO Migration Programme and the Social Security Department in Geneva.
