Despite the increasing scale and significance of international labor mobility, attempts to address the special needs of migrant workers into the welfare systems of their host countries have remained scattered and uncoordinated (Holzmann, 2005, p. 9). Most countries grant full equality of treatment to third-country nationals only after awarding them long-term or permanent resident status. In some countries, even though they contribute to the payment of taxes, migrants are excluded from social security benefits on account of nationality-based restrictions that disqualify them from receiving benefits. In Europe and North America, where migrants may eventually acquire permanent residency or citizenship, greater prospects for entitlement to social protection and social security benefits may be observed, although some countries require longer periods of residence. In Asia, however, as in many countries where statutory policies only allow for temporary admission and employment of foreign workers, most migrants enjoy unequal protection.
