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Abstract

Normative discussions of temporary labour migration have focused mostly on what social and political rights, if any, temporary migrant workers should have. This chapter focuses on a different set of potential entitlements: cultural rights. The question I am interested in is whether the cultural needs and preferences of temporary migrant workers should be accommodated or even supported by receiving states (note that ‘culture’ is construed broadly here so as to include religious needs and preferences). Specifically, I ask when, if ever, temporary migrant workers should have access to three kinds of cultural rights from a liberal perspective: (i) cultural exemptions from laws and working regulations; (ii) cultural subsidies; and (iii) cultural recognition. Asking this question is important not just to fill a lacuna in the literature on multiculturalism (most of which is concerned with the cultural entitlements of citizens), but also from a practical point of view, as many countries harbour large numbers of temporary migrant workers.