e
fforts to combat trafficking in persons can also be used to prevent
legal migration.
t
his has been identified as an unintended consequence of anti-traf
-
ficking measures by researchers.
120
a
s a result, clarification of the migration policy
would strengthen the status of migrants in South
a
frica and would reduce their vul
-
nerability to find a trafficker on their way.
South
a
frica has not yet ratified the
c
onvention on the
r
ights of Migrant Work
-
ers and their Families.
t
he inclusion of provisions in the
c
onvention in immigration
and anti-trafficking legislation would go some way towards providing the regulatory
framework and ensuring access to complaint mechanisms for migrants.
e
nsuring
protection for migrants would also mean that it would be necessary to develop mea
-
sures and strategies that include work with communities where migrants settle to
increase acceptance of migrants.
l
abour migration has been an integral feature of the South
a
frica economy for
over a century and yet there are not clear policies on cross-border migration for work.
South
a
frica therefore needs to give serious consideration to a migration policy that
will accommodate both the needs of the South
a
frican economy as well as that of
other S
a
D
c
countries.
c
onsideration should be given in such a policy to the rights
of temporary labor migrants and other human rights. Such a policy should also have
a specific focus on the situation and position of women migrants and children that
might accompany them. Such policy should also give consideration to the micro-eco
-
nomic impact that a gendered migration policy can have on household opportunities
and welfare outside of South
a
frica.