This article seeks to: 1) examine the general status in international law of certain fundamental human rights, to determine the minimum "no derogation" standards; and 2) survey briefly a number of formal agreements between states governing migration matters, while examining some of the standard-setting work undertaken by the International Labor Organization and other institutions. Finally, certain conclusions will be drawn regarding the content and administration of the relevant law, in the light of the requirement to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of international legal obligations.