Precarious Legal Status and the Protection of Migrant Workers’ Rights: An International Compliance Analysis of Algerian Law

Labour migration is considered one of the most significant forms of human mobility today, as individuals seek to improve their living conditions by pursuing employment opportunities beyond their countries of origin. The impact of migrant workers extends beyond their personal and familial economic stability, contributing to two broader developmental goals: fostering socio-economic progress and reducing poverty in their home countries through remittances, and supporting labour market demands and economic activity in host states. Despite these vital contributions, migrant workers remain among the groups most exposed to vulnerability, owing to precarious working conditions, restrictive migration policies, and the limited effectiveness of existing legal protection mechanisms. Against this background, this research examines the principal challenges that hinder the strengthening of legal protection for migrant workers. It further assesses the extent to which current national and international frameworks align with the relevant international instruments, while exploring possible approaches to enhancing these protective measures to ensure the full respect of migrant workers’ rights and fundamental freedoms.