Global Forum returns to tackle recruitment fees charged to migrant workers
13 June 2023
Representatives of global companies, along with governments and civil society organisations from around the world, are meeting today at the sixth Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment in-person (New York) and online.
The Forum, hosted by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and Aim Progress on June 13th -14th 2023, tackles one of the most common forms of exploitation facing migrant workers - the payment of recruitment fees. Migrant workers around the world are being charged recruitment fees to secure employment, which can result in significant levels of debt, and lead to forced labour conditions.
Register to attend online via GFRR.org.
By registering, you get access to the event platform where you can watch the sessions live or on-demand.
Alternatively, tune in live to the Forum on Youtube. The Forum's live stream is split into four videos. Select the video with a 'Live' tag.
The impact of recruitment fees
- Charging of recruitment fees remains one of the most common yet hidden forms of exploitation facing migrant workers.
- Migrant workers are three times more likely to be trapped in forced labour often caused by exploitative recruitment practices.
- And estimated $1.4 billion is lost to recruitment fees* annually - money that could be driving development in home communities.
Neill Wilkins, IHRB’s Head of Migrant Workers Programme, said:
“Recruitment fees and associated costs and charges are a drip, drip, drip of exploitation facing migrant workers. Fees are introduced at the start of a migrant worker’s job cycle - they are how vulnerability gets sewn into their employment. Charging recruitment fees is an insidious and unethical practice that can result in significant levels of debt for workers, and can lead to forced labour conditions.
“The Employer Pays Principle says no worker should have to pay for their own job. It’s a message the Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment will persist in keeping on the agenda, so that recruitment fees charged to workers will one day be stamped out of supply chains for good.”
Louise Herring, Executive Director at Aim Progress said:
“AIM-Progress are delighted to be partnering with the IHRB on the Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment. This year’s agenda is a packed and progressive one and we are looking forward to seeing members and other stakeholders at the event and sharing learnings and next steps back with the AIM-Progress membership and our Responsible Recruitment working group.”
Event details
The full agenda and and featured speakers can be found online at: gfrr.org.
Register to attend online via GFRR.org. By registering, you get access to the event platform where you can watch the sessions live or on-demand.
