Date Time Share Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers Discusses Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Migrants and Ratification of Convention OHCHR The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families this afternoon held an informal meeting with States and other stakeholders, during which participants discussed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants, the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, and the Committee’s work, among other topics. Committee Chairperson Can Ünver said the rights of migrant workers were frequently violated. These abuses against migrants increased even more when they were in an irregular situation. COVID-19 was currently wreaking havoc all over the world, affecting all and imposing new and difficult challenges for Governments. Migrant workers and their families were in an even more vulnerable situation: they faced difficulties to access clean water and healthcare. Yet many migrant workers had made positive responses to COVID-19 as a large percentage of migrants worked in sectors considered essential, including health, food, factories, transport, care and restaurants. The implementation of the Convention was crucial as was its ratification by new States. Currently, there were 56 States parties, the latest being Fiji and Togo.