ABSTRACT
Introduction It is widely acknowledged that supra-state institutions are critical in the struggle to protect migrant worker rights, however, the role of international legal frameworks has generally been weak in this region. Promoting human rights has been the longstanding goal of the United Nations starting with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The basic principle underlying the concept of human rights emphasizes the notion of universality; in other words, the concept of human rights is linked to a ‘common humanity’ rather than a common citizenship (Grant 2005a: 16). The notions of equality, non-discrimination and inclusion are also central to the concept of human rights (‘Know Your Rights’, G.A. res. 217A (III), U.N. Doc A/810 at 71 1948).
