PepsiCo Joins the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment

Today Pepsi Co. was announced as the newest member of the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, a corporate-led initiative in collaboration with expert organisations advocating for the end to migrant-worker paid recruitment fees.

Recruiting migrant workers into global supply chains involves a range of fees and charges. The charging of these costs to workers can create situations of debt bondage and leave them vulnerable to further exploitation including forced labour.

Pepsi Co joins 14 other global brands collaborating to embed the Employer Pays Principle globally by working to create demand amongst for ethical recruitment models, increase supply of ethically sourced labour, and improve protection of migrant workers through better government policy and enforcement. The other members include: The Coca-Cola Company, GE, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., IKEA, M&S, Mars Inc., Nestlé, Nike, Target, Tesco, Unilever, Vinci, and Walmart.

The announcement coincides with an investor briefing by the Leadership Group in New York City to discuss how the management of recruitment practices in global supply chains is an increasing priority for business and a key to eliminating forced labor and reducing reputational and operational risk.

Welcoming the news, Chair of the Leadership Group Kevin Hyland (the former UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner), said:

“I am delighted PepsiCo has joined the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment and is placing its influence as a global brand behind the Employer Pays Principle. No worker should pay recruitment fees and having another household brand on the side of ending this practice will no doubt provide increased workplaces free of exploitation.”