-

Working Group on IOM Partnerships, Governance and Organizational Priorities - Geneva- 31 May 2023

Statement

 By

Mr. Ehsan Matinrazm

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneve

Before

Working Group on IOM Partnerships, Governance and

Organizational Priorities

 Geneva- 31 May 2023

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Thank you, Chair,

First and foremost, I would like extend my warmest congratulations on Ms. Pope’s election to be the first lady as the IOM’s Director General. While appreciating Mr. Vitorino's efforts in leading the organization, my delegation eagerly looks forward to working closely with the organization in a more cooperative and result-oriented approach to address Iran's migratory concerns and beyond.

Regarding the proposal presented by the distinguished delegation of India on the inclusion of an agenda item to enhance the social security of migrant workers, the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to offer the following observations:

• The context of migration and migratory issues encompasses a wide range of aspects and dimensions that have experienced significant growth over the recent years. When discussing migrants, it is essential to specify the categories of migration and legal status of the migrants under consideration. As a country with a long history as origin, transit, and destination for migrants, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that in provision of social security for migrants, the focus must be on legal migrants involved in regular migration. Providing all sorts of the people on the move with social security services regardless of their legal status is not feasible for all Member States.

• In the broad spectrum of migratory labor cases, many workers lack skills and occupy labor markets in transit and destination countries illegally. Additionally, a sizeable amount of migrant workers has temporary and hourly contracts or work seasonally. In such cases, it would be appreciated if we learn more how host countries would be able to provide these categories with portable social security.
• The proposal refers to the "Persian Gulf" alongside an erroneous term. According to various international and UN instruments, the body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula is internationally, legally, and historically recognized as the Persian Gulf. It is hoped that the incorrect reference in the text was an inadvertent oversight. This is a matter of Iran's sovereignty, and we cannot accept working on this proposal as it currently stands.

I feel compelled to request that the secretariat carefully study the papers offered by member states in advance of circulation to avoid these types of mistakes.

Thank you for your attention.