CGI

In 2009, the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) committed to host a series of Business and Migration Roundtables for companies, governments and civil society to facilitate cross-sector dialogue, build constituencies of committed partners, and instigate collective practical action on migration issues related to human rights.

As of April 2011, the IBLF had conducted two conferences and scheduled a third for June, 2011. The organization had also published a report on protecting migrant workers in the supply chain.

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Over an initial 3-year period (2010-2012), the International Business Leaders Forum and Institute for Human Rights and Business will convene 4 separate roundtables in developed countries and emerging markets. Each will focus on issues that are locally relevant to the businesses and non-business participants. Target companies will be those operating in specific sectors or locations that have a vested interest in migration and are willing and able to use their leverage to influence policy, coordinate best practice and work collectively to help to deliver sustainable change. Key sectors are likely to include retail and apparel, recruitment services, manufacturing, construction, extractives, hospitality and tourism. Policy-makers and civil society partners will be chosen for their ability to influence policy and practice on migration issues in the given region, and their preparedness to engage constructively with business

Roundtable locations will be those where a nexus of political, commercial and social considerations makes the management of migration a priority and where there is the potential for effective collaboration and collective action. Collective action initiatives should feed the development of public-private policy reforms, frameworks for effective business management of migration, and projects that aim to serve both the interests of business, migrant workers and wider society, address labor and human rights. There will be a direct positive impact on a number of specific situations relating to business and migration. As importantly will be the demonstration of the abilities of business to engage with the issue and by collaboration and collective action to help deliver replicable and scalable programs elsewhere.

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Labor migration carries opportunity, risk and uncertainty for business, governments and migrants alike. At best, migration helps fill labor shortages and skills deficits, bolsters emerging market economies and fuels entrepreneurism. However, against a backdrop of often inadequate legal protection, exploitation of migrant workers is widespread. Amidst the current economic crisis migrant job losses are acute, social resentment towards migrants is on the increase, and remittances have suffered. Abuses of migrant workers and their families remain widespread and legal protection is often inadequate.

Governance gaps in relation to migration mean that this topic lends itself to collective action. There is a clear role for business in helping define, influence and effectively manage migration, particularly as economies move out of recession.

In London in February and April 2009, meetings were convened (hosted by Manpower Inc) to bring together leaders from business, the public sector and civil society to reflect on the inevitable and increasing importance of different aspects of human migration in relation to business. The meetings were carried out under the auspices of the Business and Migration Initiative. The International Business Leaders Forum and Institute for Human Rights and Business have joined forces to take the work of this initiative forward and are building on these foundations by managing the Business & Migration: Roundtables for Collective Action Commitment. They have laid the groundwork to ensure the support and advice of a steering group of key companies and other expert stakeholders

The IBLF, Institute for Human Rights and Business and BSR share a common commitment to furthering the agenda of Business and Migration and respect for all human rights. As independent organizations with our own priorities, capacities and strengths we will work as collaborative partners to pursue our common agenda.
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April 2011

- IBLF Report published on Protecting Migrant workers in the Supply Chains

- 2 Roundtables undertaken and 3rd scheduled for June 2011

- Development of IHRB 3D Approach To Safe Migration - a 10 point checklist of core principles for business to underlie company codes and guidelines across all geographies and industry sectors

- New partnerships with other relevant organizations bringing together those working on migration issues and the sharing and better dissemination of best practice

- IBLF is currently part-way through a series of multi-stakeholder roundtables on Business and Migration focusing on strengthening the protection of migrant workers in apparel sector supply chains.

February 2011

- Held second round table.

- This meeting together brought together Mauritian apparel suppliers, brands, government and civil society organizations to discuss common risks and challenges in terms of the recruitment process, notably from Bangladesh, as well as sharing good practice in terms of employment practices and management systems.

March 2010

- Co-convened the first round table with the Ethical Trading Initiative.

- A number of global brands were represented.

- Brand representatives agreed unanimously that there was a need for greater focus on the recruitment processes in key sending countries which, when poorly regulated, give rise to serious potential abuse of individual workers, including crippling levels of debt. Regardless of the practices of suppliers during the employment phase in receiving countries, poor recruitment practices increase workers' vulnerability throughout the migration cycle.

July 2010

- Hosted the first roundtable in the series, entitled: 'Strengthening migrant worker protection in the supply chain'

- This roundtable meeting yielded a substantive meeting report outlining the issues, opportunities and next steps for the series of Business and Migration: Roundtables for Collective Action.

- In advance of the meeting, IBLF produced the research report - Business and Migration: From Risk to Opportunity, which highlights the opportunities in managing the global migration of labor and the essential role that business can play in raising labors standards for migrant workers.

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SEEKING: financial resources, best practices information

Further to the key strategic partners listed above, the roundtables also aim to work in partnership with:

- Business - to develop, implement and secure policies around high labor standards for migrants and address key issues connected to the recruitment processes for migrant workers.

- Civil Society to help bring the issue to society and lobby and advocate for humane treatment of migrants.

- Government to draft and finalize high labor rights, standards, policies and the regulatory framework to enforce them.

- Funding partners, in order to continue the thought dialogue, scoping process and to produce the framework for action.

OFFERING: best practice information, media and marketing assistance

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