The Intersection Between Social Protection, Employment and Recruitment of Migrant Workers

The global economic crisis and migration challenge have legitimated growing austerity, putting migrant workers' social rights and social protection under attack, making migrant workers the most vulnerable part of the labor force in host societies. This study examined the impact of evolving forms of governance on migrant workers' rights and employment conditions, with special attention to the case of migrant workers from Eastern European countries (Bulgaria and Moldova) in the Israeli construction sector. The main question of this study was how effective are bilateral agreements in ensuring rights of migrant workers during the recruitment process in their countries of origin, and in their employment after arrival. This study analyzed migrants’ access to social protection and employment conditions, and explained why and how the positive changes in one dimension of rights protection may lead to the deterioration of other employment spheres. The study revealed that bilateral agreements with Bulgaria and Moldova were highly effective in protecting workers' rights during recruitment, but did not significantly improve workers' social protection and employment conditions in the destination country. Moreover, migrant workers’ wages even declined. The study showed how, under conditions of precarious employment, governance may be very effective in one sphere but not in others. This study shed light on the processes by which states can ensure the protection of non-citizen precarious workers through regulation.