International labour migration has been an important factor supporting the growth and development of countries across Asia and globally. This ubiquitous migrant workforce can be found filling labour shortages in countries of destination whilst migration for work provides much needed employment opportunities for workers in countries where opportunities may be limited. However, in spite of the vital role migrant workers’ hard work and skills play in increasing labour market efficiency, they are frequently subjected to abuse and are often vulnerable to exploitation.

 

This vulnerability to exploitation is particularly noticeable during recruitment, due to the common practice of charging migrant workers large recruitment fees to secure employment abroad. Such payments can create situations of debt bondage and leave low-wage workers vulnerable to human trafficking and further exploitation. It also severely restricts the development potential of remitted earnings. Action to prohibit the charging of recruitment fees to migrant workers can be clearly aligned with advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their associated targets. In particular SDG Goal 8.7 seeks to ensure that workers are not subject to forced labour or human trafficking.

 

To promote responsible recruitment through key corridors, the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), IHRB’s Leadership Group and RBA’s Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI) will be hosting a stakeholder roundtable at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel on 16 July 2019.

 

The purpose of the roundtable is:

• To raise awareness among all business stakeholders of the reputational and operational risk inherent in current flawed recruitment practices;
• To use collective member leverage to demonstrate to suppliers and recruitment agencies the strong commitment from an increasing number of multinational companies to responsible recruitment;
• To learn and better understand where key challenges are in shifting the recruitment business model to one where workers shall not be required to pay fees for their employment;
• To share company experiences and best practices across sectors;
• To catalyze and initiate further dialogues, partnerships, and collective actions.

 

The following day, on 17 July, CGF, IHRB and RLI will host a member and invited-partner only dialogue with representatives from the government of Malaysia.