Representatives of the governments of Bangladesh, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Qatar, Switzerland and Tunisia, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Swiss Development Cooperation agency met for the first time in January 2022 as members of the Advisory Committee of the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative. Committee Members will share knowledge and expertise, identify common challenges and opportunities and provide strategic guidance to the ILO in implementing the Fair Recruitment Initiative strategy for 2021-25

Originally launched in 2014, the Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) aims to ensure that recruitment practices nationally and across borders are grounded in labour standards, are developed through social dialogue, and ensure gender equality. Building on the work done in previous years, the ILO launched a new strategy for its Fair Recruitment Initiative (2021-2025) and established an Advisory Committee to guide its implementation.

The tripartite Advisory Committee brings together social partners (ITUC and IOE) and representatives from the governments of Bangladesh, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Qatar and Tunisia as well as the Swiss Development Cooperation agency, in light of their experience, interest and commitment to advance the Fair recruitment agenda. Coming from different regional contexts, the nominees will bring to the table their experiences and perspectives in identifying priorities for the FRI, exchanging on common challenges, and suggesting possible approaches and practices. The Committee members will also step in to co-host events  and facilitate further exchange and peer to peer learning to make possible progress on the ground.

At its first meeting on Friday 20 January 2022, the Advisory Committee agreed on a joint chairmanship led by the governments of Italy and Mexico for the year 2022-23, which signals the strong interest and commitment of both countries in moving forward the Fair Recruitment agenda.

Committee members worked on setting a strategic direction for the FRI and discussed priorities for action for the year 2022.  Thematic priorities under focus include labour inspection and enforcement, access to justice, innovation and digitalization, business engagement, workers’ empowerment, and the role of the media. Members shared examples of their experience and respective progress made in these areas.

Finally, the ILO briefed the Committee on its forthcoming online “Knowledge Hub” , soon to go-live, which aims to foster the exchange of knowledge resources, tools and experiences, facilitate networking and peer to peer exchanges. The platform will provide a space for members to put forward their questions, challenges, and exchange solutions across a wide spectrum of topics relating to recruitment.

The Advisory Committee will meet periodically to review progress and provide advice on priorities and areas for action and corrective measures to achieve targets in implementing the Fair Recruitment Initiative.

The ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) was launched in 2014 as part of the ILO Director General’s call for a Fair Migration Agenda. The Fair Recruitment Initiative's vision is to ensure that recruitment practices nationally and across borders are grounded in labour standards, are developed through social dialogue, and ensure gender equality. Specifically, they: are transparent and effectively regulated, monitored, and enforced; protect all workers’ rights, including fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW), and prevent human trafficking and forced labour; and efficiently inform and respond to employment policies and labour market needs, including for recovery and resilience.

The 2021-25 Strategy (Phase II) is grounded in four pillars:

• Pillar 1: Enhancing, exchanging and disseminating global knowledge on national and international recruitment processes
• Pillar 2: Improving laws, policies and enforcement to promote fair recruitment
• Pillar 3: Promoting fair business practices
• Pillar 4: Empowering and protecting workers