英语课程计划-International Migrants Day（在线收听）

International Migrants Day takes place on the 18th of December every year. It is on this date because this is when, in 1990, the United Nations adopted an international convention called the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The UN felt it needed to do something about the rights of migrants as more and more people left their own countries to seek work. On this day, many countries and NGOs conduct workshops to highlight the rights of immigrants. The U.N also wants people to recognize the value of migrant workers. They make a huge contribution to the countries in which they work. They also face hardships and discrimination. In some cases, they are more or less seen as slave labour.

Globalization has greatly increased migration. Three decades ago, the number of people moving overseas to work or find work stood at 75 million. This figure has shot up to 200 million and is still rising. As the world is getting smaller, more and more people are relocating. There are two main types of migration; legal and illegal. Both have positive and negative effects on host countries. The issue of illegal immigration is frequently in the headlines. People in poorer countries risk their lives to escape poverty and other life-threatening situations. Their dream is to find work and help their families. They are often at the mercy of human traffickers who care very little for their safety. It is time the world does more to protect these people.