Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements between the Philippines and Europe

What Can We Learn from the Middle East?

Abstract

Labour migration is a complex global phenomenon, connecting the aspirations of individuals seeking better work opportunities with the regulatory frameworks established by international and national instruments. In this framework, bilateral labour migration arrangements emerge between states as governing instruments of cross-border employment. That is why this paper aims to examine the bilateral labour migration arrangements of the Philippines, particularly with countries in the Middle East and Europe, and assess their compliance with international human rights and worker’s rights, with a focus on the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Conventions. By doing so, the article seeks to contribute to the understanding of multilateral legal frameworks governing labour migration and to identify the role of bilateral labour arrangements as the most effective means of governance from the perspective of states involved. Selecting the Philippines as the centre of our analysis aligns with global labour migration trends, as the Philippines is one of the largest exporters of labour to the Middle East and Western Europe. Additionally, a recent trend of emerging labour markets in Eastern and Central Europe also vindicates prognostic research in this topic.