Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment 2024 Opening Sessions 🌐

Welcome and Introduction

Neil Wilkins (Institute for Human Rights and Business)

• Role: Head of Migrant Workers Program
• Event: Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment 2024
• Location: Hosted by Clifford Chance in London
• Partners: Aim Progress and Stronger Together
• Attendance: Nearly 2,000 online registrants
• Goals: Include voices of migrant workers and support organizations
• Format: Sessions available on YouTube post-event, live-streamed for real-time participation
• Request: Attendees should be timely due to live streaming
• Debate Rules: Not held under Chatham House rules; comments may be shared and attributed
• Question Mechanism: Questions can be submitted online or in person
• Event logistics: Drinks reception clash with England football game

John Morrison (Chief Executive, Institute for Human Rights and Business)

• Event History: Previously held in Berlin, Singapore, Bangkok, New York
• Global Context: Migrant workers constitute about 5% of the global workforce
• Economic Importance: Migrants contribute significantly to both home and host economies
• Remittances: Worth $800 billion annually (e.g., India: $100 billion)
• Current Situation: Rights of migrant workers not universally respected, high recruitment fees
• Progress Made: Some progress but not at a tipping point
• Organizations Involved: Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, AIM Progress, Stronger Together
• Recruitment Fees Issue: Illegal in most jurisdictions but still prevalent
• Special Note: Visas denied to some speakers due to current geopolitical climate

Featured Sessions and Key Topics

• Significant Collaboration: Forums include business, civil society, and migrant worker voices
• Gender Review of Dhaka Principles: Addressing specific challenges faced by women migrant workers
• Technology and Industry Innovation: Tools and methodologies for measuring fees and ensuring ethical recruitment

Keynote Panel Discussions

• Rachel (Unilever): Importance of responsible recruitment and legislation
• SMITA (Our Journey): Civil society's role, bringing migrant voices into conversation
• Suneep Kumar (Migrant Worker from Nepal): Real-life challenges, the importance of reducing recruitment fees, and ensuring ethical practices

Practical Takeaways and Common Themes

• Collaboration: Essential for leveraging change; businesses should work in tandem with NGOs, government authorities, and other stakeholders
• Compliance vs. Spirit of Legislation: The importance of adhering to both the letter and spirit of the law
• Support for Recruitment Agencies: Need for businesses to back agencies that follow ethical practices
• Worker-centric Policies: Including migrant voices in policy creation and remediation processes
• Transparency and Verification: Importance of transparent reporting and verification mechanisms

Concluding Remarks

• Emphasis on Continuous Improvement: Reflecting on progress, acknowledging remaining challenges, and looking ahead to future innovations and solutions
• Networking Opportunities: Encouraging connections and discussions among attendees during breaks and receptions