Borders of Justice: Migration, Labour, and the Struggle for Rights

Borders of Justice: Migration, Labour, and the Struggle for Rights

This course explores migration through the intertwined lenses of labour and human rights, focusing on the precarious conditions faced by migrant workers across sectors—from low-wage labour in agriculture, construction, and services to skilled professions such as academia and white-collar jobs. Many migrants, displaced by political violence, war, and economic upheaval, not only endure exploitative work conditions but also face barriers in accessing or even understanding their rights in host countries. These rights are often unclear, inadequately protected, or simply inaccessible. We will examine Hannah Arendt's concept of the "right to have rights" in relation to the evolving patterns of international protection for migrants and refugees. Institutions like the United Nations and the 1951 Refugee Convention, once central to safeguarding migrant rights, have increasingly faced challenges in providing effective protection. The course will investigate how political violence and conflict shape migration patterns and drive exploitation in both formal and informal sectors—domestic work, caregiving, agriculture, and skilled professions. We will also explore how factors such as gender, race, sexual identity, and refugee status complicate migrants' access to rights and protection in both origin and receiving countries. Through case studies, group discussions, visual materials like documentaries, and visits to international institutions in Geneva, students will explore the intersections of migration, labour rights, and human dignity, gaining a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles for justice and human rights. This course offers students the opportunity to critically engage with global migration issues, empowering them to contribute to the ongoing fight for justice and shape future policies in a meaningful way.