It is estimated that the total number of migrants in the world doubled from 75 million to 150 million between 1965 and 2000. Today, 120 million of these are thought to be labour migrants. While it is true that at the turn of the century there was more migration, the difference today is that it is affecting more countries as origin, transit and destination countries.

In developed countries competition is increasing to recruit skilled immigrants to meet shortages in key sectors. Employers in these sectors are increasingly working closer with governments and other social partners to identify where skills shortages exist and proposing measures to rectify the situation. This includes ensuring that housing and work permits are accessible to those with the required skills. Unquestionably, labour migration can have a net beneficial effect on both sending and receiving countries. It can be a win-win situation.

There are a number of processes at the international level addressing the issue. The IOE worked closely with the Global Commission on International Migration which was set up by the UN Secretary-General in December 2003, the main mandate of which was to raise the profile of global migration. The Commission was also charged with analyzing gaps in current policy approaches to migration and examining linkages with other issues.

Through  the Doha multilateral trade round, the focus is placed on the further liberalization of trade in services through the cross-border movement of professional, managerial and technical personnel. The IOE tracks these developments through the WTO consultative process, in which it participates. In the ILO, the 2004 International Labour Conference agreed to the adoption of a Multilateral Framework on Migration to guide its future work in this area. The IOE participated in the drafting of the Multilateral Framework.