Undocumented workers included in COVID wage compensation scheme in Geneva In a referendum on 7 March, the Swiss public voted with a large majority (68.8%) in favour of a law proposed by the cantonal government in Geneva to extend wage compensation to workers who lost their jobs during the first wave of the pandemic but were left out of the national wage compensation package. Undocumented workers are explicitly included in the policy. The law will provide financial assistance of up to 4,000 Swiss francs per month in compensation for lost earnings during the period 17 March – 16 May 2020. Civil society who campaigned in favour of the measure will support implementation, and continue to call for the wage compensation to be prolonged to also cover the second wave of the pandemic. New York introduces unemployment payments for undocumented workers The state government of New York has pledged $2.1 billion as a relief package to support undocumented essential workers who have been laid off during the pandemic, and who have, up until now, been excluded from unemployment assistance. Undocumented workers will be able to receive up to $ 15,600 if they can prove they were employed before the start of the pandemic, through Individual Tax Identification Numbers or other official forms that attest to employment. Nonetheless, these requirements mean many undocumented workers will be left out of the programme. EU wide study calls for confidential complaints mechanisms to protect migrant workers A new report on labour exploitation of third-country national workers, commissioned by the European Platform tackling undeclared work, finds that workers with no valid work or residence permit are the most at risk of undeclared work and exploitation. They also have extremely limited or no alternative options and experience fear in reporting exploitative conditions to authorities. The report finds that labour inspectorates are often asked to monitor immigration law, and this can conflict with their mandate to ensure fair work and decent working conditions for all workers. Among the solutions, it recommends establishing confidential reporting mechanisms to protect workers, cooperation with social partners and NGOs, and carefully designed regularisation schemes.