Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Migrant Workers

Committee: OAS
Topic: Migrant Workers
Country: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Delegate: Brittany P. Hill


The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, during the past few decades, has experienced a turbulent economy and political instability. In Venezuela, the main source of income is petroleum. Recently, the wars in the Middle East have affected the sales of petroleum, therefore causing more unpredictability in regards to the economy in Venezuela. Because of these problems, the Venezuelan people, as well as the people of the countries surrounding Venezuela have, during this time, resorted to immigrating to other countries, specifically in the European Union, in order to find means of living.

The mistreatment of migrant workers is an issue that is, although unpleasant, very much present. In some countries migrant workers may work under harsh conditions, such as unclean workspaces, unfair pay, and unreasonable work schedules. Because some of these people are not living and working in the host country legally, mistreatment can go unreported out of fear of deportation.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela believes that migrant workers should have the right to remain in the countries that they choose, regardless of whether or not they are legal migrant workers. Venezuela has expressed support for legal and illegal migrant workers through attendance at the International Convention of the Protection of` All Migrant Workers and their families and also by signing and ratifying the resolution associated with that convention on 9 June 1983. On a less formal note, the President of The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has recently called the European Unions updated immigration rules “barbaric,” as the European Union has declared that they will jail and deport immigrants found without passports, and much of MERCOSUR has allowed member citizens to travel over country borders without passports.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuelan encourages all states, host and source countries, with the interest of protecting both legal and illegal migrant workers to establish universal protection for these people and their families. Also, it is suggested that a passport free system is established for migrant workers.