IOM And The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Launch Multi-Year Co-Operation To Promote Ethical Recruitment, Protect Migrant Workers In Tourism

On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance), with valued support from the US Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration, announce the launch of a multi-year partnership to promote ethical recruitment and the protection of migrant workers in the tourism industry.

IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and combats all forms of exploitation of migrant workers. The Alliance convenes the world’s leading hotel companies to drive responsible business across the hospitality industry. Together, the two organisations will catalyse cooperation between the private sector, policy makers and civil society to prevent irregular migration, address unethical recruitment and promote good practice across the industry.

This partnership will leverage the multi-stakeholder model of the IOM’s IRIS: Ethical Recruitment initiative to promote regular pathways for migrant workers and protect them throughout the labour migration process. It will target key migration corridors in the Latin America region as well as between East Africa and select States of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

IOM’s Labour Mobility and Human Development Division focuses on the protection of migrant workers and seeks to enhance the benefits of labour migration for all parties involved. The division operates IRIS: Ethical Recruitment with support from governments, civil society, the labour movement, private sector, and ethical recruiters.

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance seeks to promote the human rights of workers in the hospitality industry. It works with the industry and other partners to raise awareness of human rights risks, embed human rights into corporate governance, and address risks arising in the labour supply chain. This includes working to unite the industry behind a set of Principles on Forced Labour. It also provides free tools and trainings to support the industry to recognise and mitigate human rights risks.

Madhu Rajesh, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance said: “The hospitality industry is a people industry, giving opportunities to hundreds of millions of workers worldwide. Recruitment processes differ, especially across borders, and that’s why it’s essential for businesses to have robust due diligence processes and transparency throughout the recruitment and migration process. We are delighted to be partnering with the International Organization for Migration. The combination of their expertise and the practical insight we can provide from the hospitality industry, will work towards supporting and promoting good practice and protecting workers.”

Monica Goracci, Director, Department of Migration Management for IOM said: “Private sector partnerships play a vital role in promoting ethical recruitment and safe migration. IOM’s cooperation with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is the foundation for building capacity and resources to address unethical recruitment and enhance protection for migrant workers in the hospitality and tourism industry. This partnership is an exciting endeavor which supports IOM’s IRIS: Ethical Recruitment initiative and broader multi-stakeholder cooperation. Our partnership leverages the combined influence of both organizations to effectively promote ethical recruitment and build respect for the rights of migrant workers.”

About International Organization for Migration

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. With 174 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.