Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers, Refugees and their Families
Photo © Samuele Omati
Online
Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers, Refugees and their Families
20 October–28 November 2025
The course is available in English
Key features
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
An action-oriented, highly participative approach will be used, with particular attention devoted to sharing international experiences with a view to their adaptation and practical application. Particular attention will be paid to the presentation of “good practices” through case studies reflecting experiences already gained locally and internationally.
INTEGRATED E-LEARNING
An innovative e-learning experience combining self-paced modules, webinars and discussions, case studies, forum debates, role-play exercises and group work using up-to-date learning methods and technologies.
THREE PHASES
Learning begins at own pace, continues through high-quality, engaging “real time” sessions and ends with an individual assignment.
PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING
Practitioners from different parts of the world and different background will join the e-learning to share with participants their concrete experience and actions on how establishing fair recruitment practices.
Introduction to the course
Although the 169 million migrant workers of the 281 million international migrants worldwide contribute fully to the economies of their host and home countries, migrant workers are often excluded from social protection coverage. Migrant workers compared to nationals working their entire lives in one country, face major legal and practical obstacles in accessing social protection benefits. They may be denied access or have limited access to social security because of their status or nationality or due to the insufficient duration of their periods of employment and residence. In addition, the maintaining their earned benefits and benefits in the course of acquisition. This is particularly important in the case of long-term benefits (invalidity, old-age and survivor's) where qualifying periods may be considerable. This course will focus on the different unilateral, bilateral and regional measures that exist to extend social protection to both migrant workers and refugees and their families, in their countries of destination and origin.
Who attends this course?
The course is designed for officials and practitioners committed to extending social protection to migrants workers and refugees through multilateral, bilateral and unilateral measures, in particular: managers, planners, advisers and professionals working in social security institutions; policy-planners and officials from key ministries responsible for migration and/or social protection; representatives of the social partners involved in the governance of migration and/or social security institutions; practitioners and consultants of UN agencies working in the field of social protection and/or migration.
What will I be able to do?
The objectives of the course are the following:
- Understand the issues and opportunities related to the extension of social protection to migrant workers, refugees and their families;
- Appreciate the international legal framework covering migrant workers and refugees;
- Analyze the different measures existing to extend social protection to migrant workers and refugees (including multilateral, bilateral agreements and unilateral measures in both countries of origin and destination);
- Examine the specific challenges faced by certain groups in order to access social protection (such as domestic workers, temporary migrant workers, irregular migrants, refugees);
- Explore and analyze how to extend social protection to migrants and refugees based on country experiences/ good practices and lessons learned from various other countries.
What will I learn?
- Module 1: Rationale for extending social protection to migrant workers and their families
- Module 2: Migrant workers’ right to social security and the international legal framework
- Module 3: Accessing social security through bilateral and multilateral social security agreements
- Module 4: Social protection in the negotiation of bilateral labour agreements (BLA) and Memoradum of Understanding (MoU)
- Module 5: Unilateral measures extending social protection to migrant workers and refugees (in countries of origin and destination)
- Module 6: Extending social protection to specific groups of migrant workers
- Module 7: Extending social protection to refugees and asylum seekers
- Module 8: Gender, social protection and labour migration.
How?
The course consists of a number of 8 online modules offered through the ITCILO e-Campus online platform to be completed over a period of six weeks for an estimated 60 learning hours. The course is broken down into three phases:
- Flexible learning (asynchronous): self-guided online learning on e-campus, forum of discussion facilitated by experts and assessment throughout the different phases of the course.
- “Real time” learning (synchronous): Live interactive sessions and engaging video presentations by highly experienced trainers, blended with individual and collaborative group exercises, peer-to-peer assessment and online technical forums on e-campus.
- End of course assignment (asynchronous): Individual assignment applying the teachings acquired during the course.
Participants who successfully complete all assessments and the final assignment will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Why should I join?
The Turin Centre is known for its innovative learning tools and methodologies.
- Course facilitators are subject matter experts and specialists;
- Training delivery includes online and tutor based learning opportunities;
- Participants exchange knowledge and ideas on existing good practices.
This course qualifies for the ITCILO Diploma for Labour Migration Experts and Practitioners. Take the Academy on Labour Migration, three courses out of all eligible courses within a five year period, and complete a capstone project to become part of a global cadre of practitioners and experts with a recognised set of skills in labour migration policy.
This course also qualifies for the Diploma for Social Protection Managers
What will I be required to do during the course?
Course learning materials and tuition will be offered online in English and French. The following requirements are therefore essential to participate in this course:
- the ability to use and access a computer with internet;
- working knowledge of written English or French;
- the availability to dedicate per week between 5-10 hours to the course.
How to apply?
Interested candidates should register on-line clicking on the “APPLY NOW” button at the top-right of the page.
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Proven work experience in relevant field;
- Submission of a letter of sponsorship to cover the total course fees.
