Migration Linkages

About

Migration Linkages is an initiative to help protect the rights of migrant workers who are moving between developing countries. We do this by connecting multinational companies and suppliers with civil society, international organizations, labor unions, and governments to build transparency around the global migration system and advance responsible business practices.

In a world where capital, technology, and labor are increasingly mobile, migrant workers are vital to the global workforce. However, persistent challenges related to their rights and protection have not received proper attention from business. In order to protect these rights and to mitigate operational, reputational, and legal risks, business must collaborate with other stakeholders to develop better management approaches for migrant workers.

Resources

• Building Partnerships with the Private Sector—A Shared Responsibility

  This framework describes how multi-national companies, their suppliers, labor rights groups, trade unions and governments in the global South can work together to fill the governance gaps related to protecting the rights of international migrant workers.

• Business and Migration Roundtables for Collective Action

  The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) is hosting a series of Business and Migration roundtables for Collective Action between 2010‐12 for apparel companies, governments and civil society addressing issues of worker protection and human rights due diligence. The second roundtable in the series, brought together a group of 35 representatives from high‐street retailers, Mauritian textile suppliers, the Mauritian Employers Federation, Enterprise Mauritius and representatives from the Mauritian Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment to discuss the risks associated with migrant labour in Mauritius and the responsibilities of companies to protect migrant workers’ rights while managing their business risks.

• Code of Conduct Applied to Vietnamese Enterprises Sending Workers for Overseas Employment

  An example of country-level codes of conduct for employment agencies sending workers overseas.

• Global Migration Group Symposium, Panel Remarks from BSR

  This paper summarizes the cross-sector work BSR has done in Malaysia on addressing the issues surrounding international migrant workers.

• Help Wanted: Hiring, Human Trafficking, and Modern-Day Slavery in the Global Economy

  This report by Verité, a research and advocacy organization, offers key findings on the intersection of labor brokers, migrant workers, and slavery.

• Human Rights and Migration: Working Together for Safe, Dignified and Secure Migration

  This book is published by the Migration Policy and Research Department (MPR) of the International Organization for Migration.

• International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families

  The Convention seeks to play a role in preventing and eliminating the exploitation of migrant workers throughout the entire migration process. It provides policy guidance for business on issues relating to worker rights, recruitment, and wages and benefits.

• Migration and Dialogue International on Migration Human Resources For Health: Awareness to Action

  This book is published by the Migration Policy, Research and Communications Department (MPRC) of the International Organization for Migration.