The IOM and adidas partnership provides an example of how two different stakeholders can come together to promote the rights of migrant workers in the garment, textiles, and footwear industry and create transformative change for individuals and communities.

Asia remains a global manufacturing hub for the garment, textiles, and footwear industry. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the region accounted for more than half of the world’s textiles and clothing exports. While the industry is evolving, it continues to drive economic growth in the region and provides direct employment to about 60 million people. This includes millions of migrant workers.

The human and labour rights risks migrant workers face in global supply chains are well documented. In many cases, the exploitation of migrant workers begins in their home country when they are charged excessive recruitment fees and related costs, misled about the job on offer and/or not appropriately informed about their rights and responsibilities when living and working abroad. The charging of recruitment fees and related costs is particularly problematic as it can push migrant workers into debt bondage and prevent migrant workers from leaving exploitative situations.

The challenges facing migrant workers are serious and cannot be addressed by any one stakeholder in isolation. Rather, a collaborative effort is needed on the part of governments, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector.