Bilateral and multilateral relations offer forums for the promotion, development and negotiation of inter-State cooperation arrangements and of more formal and binding agreements. The latter are ways to address international migration in a manner that serves joint interests and needs.

Most of the first of these agreements were primarily in the area of labour migration between States facing labour shortages and those with a labour surplus. Many of those arrangements provided for non-discrimination with respect to conditions of employment, remuneration and social security, including the portability of benefits. Other bilateral agreements deal with the return and readmission of persons without authorization to stay, sometimes including other forms of cooperation or assistance. Trade agreements are another set of examples, as they can establish the possibility for independent professionals or contractual service suppliers to enter and stay (read more on Regional and bilateral agreements in Regional systems relevant to International migration law). Other cooperation arrangements have also addressed managing a common border.

Entering into such arrangements and agreements can foster the sharing of responsibilities in an  institutionalized way. These arrangements are useful tools to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges in a more effective manner. However, such arrangements and agreements are not without challenges and depend on political alignment, which may fade.

Example
Bilateral and multilateral agreements

Bilateral labour migration agreement: Spain and Colombia

A bilateral labour migration agreement established between Spain and Colombia in 2001, in force until one party terminates it, covers different stages of the migration cycle (pre-departure, during the work period in the destination country, and return and reintegration). Its objectives include:

  • Regulating migratory flows;
  • Ensuring Colombian worker rights;
  • Promoting economic and social development;
  • Strengthening existing ties of friendship between the parties;
  • Preventing covert migration and the exploitation of undocumented foreign workers.

It has been commended for its transparency: more than making the text available online, the agreement establishes that one role of the Joint Coordination Committee is to disseminate information about the major provisions of the agreement in both countries.

Source: Wickramasekara, 2015.

Multilateral agreement: Andean Community

The Andean Community (Comunidad Andina) is composed of four Latin American countries: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Since 2001, they have entered into various multilateral agreements which all contribute to unifying their labour markets. Such agreements have included:

  • Facilitation of travel within the subregion by adopting an “Andean Migration Card” as a standardized immigration control document;
  • Portability of social security rights and entitlements of citizens working or residing in each other’s territory;
  • Consular protection for each other’s nationals when these travel outside the subregion.

Source: Abella, 2013.

Key messages
  • Bilateral and multilateral relations offer forums for inter-State cooperation through arrangements and more formal and binding agreements. Such arrangements and agreements serve to pursue mutual interests in seizing opportunities and addressing challenges posed by migration.
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