Geneva – On June 10-11, 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted the Second Global Conference on the Regulation of International Recruitment in Geneva, Switzerland. This event, organized under the Global Policy Network on Recruitment's guidance, brought together over 120 participants from 65 countries, including policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society members.
Embracing Regular Migration Pathways
This year’s conference theme, "Harnessing the Potential of Regular Migration Pathways," underscored the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks in migration governance. The discussions, marked by high participation, offered insights into enhancing compliance with ethical recruitment standards and protecting migrant workers' rights in labour migration corridors. A significant focus was on improving skills recognition, ensuring a better match between migrants' skills and available employment opportunities for both workers and employers.
A Shared Vision for Fair and Transparent Recruitment
A consensus among participants was that cross-border recruitment is crucial for international labour mobility. Fair and transparent recruitment practices facilitate safe and orderly labour migration, benefiting countries of origin and destination, employers, and migrant workers. However, the absence or inadequacy of international standards and regulations exposes migrant workers to substantial risks, including human trafficking and forced labour due to fraudulent and unethical recruitment practices.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
The conference provided invaluable insights into the current state and future directions of international recruitment and labour migration governance. Key takeaways included:
- Global Trends and Challenges: Enhanced understanding of the evolving landscape of international recruitment.
- Innovative Strategies: Promising practices for protecting migrant workers within regular labour pathways.
- Migrant Workers’ Voices: Recognition of the importance of incorporating migrant workers' perspectives into policy development and implementation.
- Demographic Changes: Examination of demographic shifts and their impact on the future of migration pathways.
- Legislative Role: Discussions on the critical role of legislation in combating forced labour and ensuring compliance with recruitment standards.
- Collaborative Approaches: Development of strategies and intergovernmental cooperation to enhance migration governance.
Voices from the Conference
In her keynote address, Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General, emphasized the urgency of the conference’s mission:
"Regular pathways are central to achieving IOM’s vision of delivering on the promise of migration while supporting the world’s most vulnerable. Inadequate regular migration pathways and protections leave people vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse, and prevent states from effectively managing migration to meet labour needs, address demographic challenges, and promote growth. Today, we build on this foundation, looking ahead to further refine and strengthen our approaches."
Pal H. Lund, Special Adviser to the Labour Inspection Authority of Norway and Chair of the GPN Thematic Working Group on Inspections and Enforcement, highlighted the importance of the Global Policy Network (GPN) as a vital platform for dialogue and exchange among IOM member states and public authorities:
"One of the GPN’s greatest strengths is the cross-fertilization of knowledge and expertise."
Lawrence Egulu, Commissioner of Employment Services for Uganda's Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Chair of the GPN Thematic Working Group on Licensing and Oversight, echoed this sentiment:
"Fostering collaboration and leveraging the diverse expertise within the Global Policy Network can advance the shared goal of countries of origin, transit, and destination in promoting ethical recruitment and robust migrant worker protection."
The Evolution of the Global Policy Network
The Global Policy Network originated from the 2019 Global Conference on the Regulation of International Recruitment in Montreal, Canada. This initiative led to the creation of the Montreal Recommendations on Recruitment: A Road Map towards Better Regulation. Currently, the GPN includes 60 public authorities who meet under six Thematic Working Groups: Inspections and Enforcement, Licensing and Oversight, Bilateral Cooperation, Temporary Migration Schemes, Labour Markets and Skills, and Donors and Fundraising. These groups aim to tackle challenges, share best practices, and co-develop solutions for ethical recruitment, migrant worker protection, and labour mobility pathways.
Building a Collaborative Future
The second global conference provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and construct collaborative frameworks. The overarching goal is to enhance regulation and protection for migrant workers, fostering sustainable, rights-centered labour migration pathways that uphold the dignity and rights of migrant workers worldwide.
