Bangkok – This month, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launches the first e-learning course for businesses to learn how to recruit and employ migrant workers responsibly within their operations and supply chains.

In 90 minutes and free of charge, the e-course introduces key concepts of the relevant international human and labour rights standards, as well as guiding frameworks on international migration. It further provides practical steps businesses can take to safeguard the rights of migrant workers day to day.

“The world of business is changing. In the era of conscious consumerism and increasing modern slavery legislation, businesses are expected not only to voice their commitment to uphold human rights but to follow it through,” said Dr. Maria Nenette Motus, Regional Director at IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises influence legislation around the world. These guidelines are clear on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights throughout international supply chains.

Globally, 25 million people find themselves in situations of forced labour, one out of every four is a migrant worker.

“Regardless of who recruited the worker, companies can also be implicated, and should pay attention particularly if they are operating in a region or industry known to be at risk for forced labour. The costs of not complying, even if unwittingly, can be extremely high,” Dr. Motus added.

Through six interactive modules, the new IOM e-course equips business enterprises of all sizes in different migration corridors and economic sectors from fashion through electronics and food manufacturing with a better understanding of the risks faced by migrant workers throughout their labour migration journey and what they can do to mitigate and prevent them.

The e-course provides practical guidance on how to establish sustainable practices to safeguard migrant workers’ rights, human rights policies, due diligence processes and remediation systems, and also supports businesses to involve migrant workers to create sustainable solutions.

It is informed by IOM’s extensive experience working with governments, civil society, migrant workers, and the private sector, as well as the collection of good practices by employers, labour recruiters, and multinational enterprises.

This self-paced e-course builds on key human rights and labour standards, guiding frameworks on international migration and IOM’s ‘Migrant Workers Guidelines for Employers’. It can be accessed free of charge on IOM’s e-campus website.

This initiative is part of IOM’s Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking in Fashion (CREST Fashion), funded by the Laudes Foundation. CREST Fashion partners with multinational enterprises and local companies operating in South Asia and Southeast Asia’s apparel and home textile supply chains to promote responsible business conduct in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Watch this video to learn how to navigate the e-learning course.

For more information, please contact Ms. Aleksandra Lasota, Migration, Business and Human Rights Lead at IOM Thailand at alasota@iom.int.