Abstract

ORTEGA VELAZQUEZ, Elisa. Irregular migrant workers and their social rights in the United Kingdom. Rev. latinoam. derecho soc [online]. 2017, n.25, pp.71-108. ISSN 2448-7899.

This paper analyzes social rights which are afforded to irregular migrant workers in the United Kingdom. First, the background of the regulation of migration in Europe is reviewed. Second, immigration regulations and policies issued during four stages of the history of international migration are studied: 1) from the Late Nineteenth Century to 1914, when the first immigration regulations were introduced; 2) from 1914 to 1945, when immigration controls were systematically established in the majority of states; 3) from 1945 to 1973, when the first significant irregular migration flows and the respective state responses took place; and 4) from mid-1973 to the beginning of the 2000s, when irregular migration consolidated and important regulations to control it were issued. Third, irregular migration policies and social rights which are afforded to irregular migrants in the United Kingdom are explored. The article concludes that irregular migration is a political and legal construction, and that the sovereign power of states to define the legal status of aliens, together with irrationalities and inadequate implementation of policies and regulations, are the key factors in its creation.

Keywords : Social rights; irregular migrant workers; immigration regulations; immigration policies; United Kingdom.

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