The International Organization for Migration (IOM) co-hosted the first-ever global conference on the regulation of international recruitment and protection of migrant workers. The event took place in Montreal, Canada, on 6 and 7 June, and was organized in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the US Department of State and the Province of Quebec. 

The conference brought together 100 participants from 30+ countries around the world for two days to examine challenges, opportunities and good practices to improve regulation and enforcement related to cross-border labour recruitment. Senior policymakers, leading experts and practitioners representing Ministries of Labour, Foreign Affairs and Immigration led a global dialogue dedicated to co-creating clear, practical guidance to better monitor the private recruitment industry and protect migrant workers throughout recruitment, deployment and employment. 

Dr. Marina Manke, Head of IOM’s Labour Mobility and Human Development Division, said: “the enthusiastic response from governments across the world shows a growing interest among regulators to better understand and address challenges related to cross-border placement of workers.” 

“Private recruitment agencies play a vital role in connecting labour supply and demand, but in many jurisdictions, they operate with minimal or no oversight, placing migrants at significant risk. This conference – which will contribute to the creation of global policy recommendations – will enable governments to take a vital step forward in monitoring international recruitment and protecting migrants,” she added. 

IOM helps governments and partners to harness the development outcomes of migration by inter alia focusing on the protection of migrant workers and seeking to enhance the benefits of labour migration for all parties. The organization also operates the International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS) — a global multi-stakeholder initiative designed to promote ethical recruitment with the support of governments, civil society, the labour movement, private sector and ethical recruiters. 

For more information please contact Philip Hunter, Tel: +41 79 582 22 83, Email: phunter@iom.int 

Source: IOM Press Room