UN Chief Praises Migrant Workers’ Remittances During COVID-19 Crisis

Contrary to expectations, remittances from MREs to their countries of origin have withstood the crisis, even if these transfers have declined somewhat. There are several reasons for this, said the head of the UN. "Migrants prioritize the needs of their family, reducing their personal consumption and drawing on their savings." Thus, according to World Bank data, remittances to low- or middle-income countries by migrants only decreased by 1.6% in 2020 compared to 2019, to reach $540 billion.

The second reason is linked to the behavioral changes of migrants and members of the diaspora in 2020. Very quickly, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) pointed out, they, like their families, adapted to digital technologies. Thus, with the digitization of money transfers, phone-based money transfers increased by 65% in 2020. More than 200 million migrant workers transfer money to more than 800 million family members in their country of origin. Migrant remittance flows are three times larger than official development assistance abroad.

In this sense, efforts must continue to help and protect migrants who have played a major role during the pandemic, added Guterres, specifying that "it is essential, for the health and safety of all, to ensure that all migrants, regardless of their immigration status, are integrated into Covid-19 vaccine distribution plans." It is also necessary to further reduce transfer costs, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and to facilitate the financial inclusion of migrants and their families, especially in poor rural areas. Because "the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration provides a unified framework for such actions," concluded the UN Secretary-General.