The focus is on low-skilled migrant workers who are the most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse because of their low educational qualifications and limited asset base. The key conclusion is that despite international commitments to eliminate worker-paid recruitment fees and costs, low-skilled migrant workers still carry the financial burden for their recruitment. The average cost is relatively low within the corridors surveyed, mostly because of low travel costs. Despite this, there is scope to reduce the costs further.

The report suggests several policy recommendations for reducing recruitment fees and related costs and thus the vulnerability of migrants, which would increase the development potential of international labour migration.

The survey used a standard methodology developed by the World Bank-led Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) initiative, making it possible to compare migration costs across corridors. It also contributes to the reporting on Sustainable Development Goals Indicator 10.7.1 on “recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination”.