Labour mobility has the potential to be a key driver of sustainable economic growth and development for many developing countries. Revenues generated by the remittances of nearly 200 million migrant workers amounted to approximately US$167 billion in 2005, over twice the value of official development assistance and in certain cases, even foreign direct investment or revenues from the export of goods and other services. For labour-receiving countries, there is also substantial evidence that in view of actual and expected labour shortages, labour migration can confer important economic and social benefits.
At the same time, ever-expanding international trade in goods and services feeds the need for labour mobility, as production seeks the most efficient factor sources. However, while barriers to trade in goods and services have decreased, significant obstacles remain for the temporary cross-border movement of labour. As a contribution to fostering better understanding among the various stakeholders from both sending and receiving countries on developing good practices to facilitate labour and mobility, ICTSD has undertaken various projects on Trade and Labour Migration.