Migration and Social Protection: Exploring Issues of Portability and Access
5-6 November 2008
Conference Centre Bramber House
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

Migration  is  arguably  one  of  the most  important  social  risk management  instruments  of mankind. It is a strategy by which individuals, families and whole populations can escape exposure to risk by moving from a risk-prone region to a safer region. This may be in response to natural hazards, physical conflict or poverty, the risk of destitution and other economic shocks. At the same time migration does not eliminate the need to handle the many other risks of life (such as sickness or unemployment).  In other words, migration can be seen as a form of social protection, but it also necessitates social protection.

The Migration DRC has been leading innovative research in the field of Migration and Social Protection. Part of this work investigates legal and physical access to social security for migrants from a number of African countries to the UK and also regional migration within SADC and ECOWAS. Other work focuses on the coping strategies of migrants at both international and country levels. The conference brought together over 40 international participants, including academics and practitioners, as well as policymakers from both governmental and international bodies.

The event profiled current research on migration and social protection, including Migration DRC research, reviewed good practice and explored policy options in this area.

• Introduction

Migration and Social Protection: Exploring Issues of Portability and Access
Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

• Session 1 - Portability regimes and formal provisions

Global Numbers on Legal and Undocumented Migrants and their Access to Social Rights
Johanna Avato

For the Good of the Global Economy: Social Protection for the Migrant Worker
Chris Brailey

Regional Overview of Social Protection for Non-Citizens in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Marius Olivier

• Session 2 - Migrants and Host Welfare Systems

 ‘An Increasingly Uncomfortable Environment’: Access to Healthcare for Documented and Undocumented Migrants in the UK
Rayah Feldman

Do Migrants Use/Abuse/Help to Maintain Social Welfare Benefits?
Claudia Hartmann-Hirsch

• Session 3 - Policy frameworks

Strategies for Extending Social Security to Migrant Workers
Samia Kazi Aoul – Chaillou

The Issue of Social Security for Migrants in the DRC
Kawaya Sefu Papa

Migration and Social Protection in SADC: Emerging Evidence and Challenges Ahead
Bilisoni Itaye

• Session 4 - Conceptualising Access

Migrants’ Access to Social Protection: A Case Study of the Public Distribution System in Delhi
Ian MacAuslan

A Historical Perspective on Immigration and Social Protection in the Netherlands
Melissa Siegel

A Market Place for Migrants: The case of Sunday Bengali Markets in Kerala
Mythri Prasad

• Session 5 - Overcoming Constraints at Destination

Migration Outcomes, Legal Status and Social Protection: A Quantitative Study of Malawian Returnees from South Africa and the UK
Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Domestic Work and Social Protection in Greece: The Case of Albanian and Ukrainian Women’s Access to Social Insurance, Health and Pre-school Care Services
Vasilis Lolis

Social Protection for Migrant Labour in the Ghanaian Pineapple Sector
Stephanie Barrientos

• Session 6 - Social Protection in Source Country and for Returnees 

Migrants’ Social Protection as a Multi-actor Process: Public Policies and Emigrants’ Own Initiative in the Case of Ecuador
Paolo Boccagni

The Pension of Returning Retired Migrants in the Maghreb: a Sustainable Development Factor?
Sofiane Bouhdiba

Migration and Wellbeing of Mothers and Children of Migrant Fathers: Challenges for Social Policies Addressing Paternal Child Maintenance
Delali Badasu