Background

Since 2012, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has implemented a flagship programme to test innovative ways to tackle forced labour and human trafficking. In collaboration with multiple development partners, Work in Freedom (WIF) has been a large interregional programme that has supported migrant women workers along important labour migration pathways in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. Following ten years of implementation, the programme has documented a rich set of lessons learned that can help guide future efforts to tackle similar challenges. Please join us for a presentation of these findings alongside a panel discussion to hear from other leaders in this field.

Discussion will focus on three sets of issues in particular:

• What works and doesn’t in addressing unfree labour in migrant women workers’ destinations.

This will include a review of the conventional prevention, prosecution and protection approaches and other non-conventional anti-trafficking interventions. See: Lessons learned Part 3: Policy and programme responses to unfree labour in destination countries for migrant women workers

• What works and doesn’t work in implementing anti-trafficking programmes in countries or regions of origin for migrant women.

This will include a review of safe migration interventions and policies including pre-departure orientation and training, pre-decision orientation sessions, and other. For more information see: Lessons Learned Part 1: Outreach to migrant women in areas of origin.

• What works and doesn’t in promoting fair recruitment of migrant women workers.

This will include a review of training programmes for recruitment agencies and mapping of recruitment practices. See: Lessons Learned Part 2: Recruitment of migrant workers.

General information on the Work in Freedom programme is available here. Research supported or linked to the programme can be found here.

Agenda

Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, King's College, Bush House, North East Entrance, 40 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BG 

14.00- 14.15: Welcome and introductions

• Overview of Work in Freedom programme and the issues it addresses
• Regional and global context
• Housekeeping points

Key speakers:

• Professor Dan Hunter, Executive Dean, Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London
• Andrew Clayton, Senior Social Development Adviser, FCDO
• Philippe Vanhuynegem, Branch Chief, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, ILO

14.15- 15.15 ILO Presentation of Findings

PART I: Working in migrant destination areas (30 mins)

• Presentation of lessons
• Responses and Q&A

PART II: Supporting women in areas of origin (30 mins)

• Presentation of lessons
• Responses and Q&A

Key speakers:

• Igor Bosc, Chief Technical Adviser, Work in Freedom, ILO Arab States
• Neha Wadhawan, National Programme Coordinator, Work in Freedom, ILO India

Respondents:

• Alessandra Mezzadri, Reader in Development Studies, SOAS
• Natalie Sedacca, Assistant Professor of Employment Law, Durham University

Moderators:

• Samita Sen, Professor, University of Cambridge
• Mike Dottridge, Independent Consultant

15.15-15.30 Coffee Break (Arcade Exhibition, Bush House)

15.30-16.00

ILO Presentation of findings

PART III: Promoting fair recruitment (30 mins)

• Presentation of lessons
• Responses and Q&A

Key speakers:

• Igor Bosc, Chief Technical Adviser, WIF, ILO Arab States

Respondent:

• Alessandra Mezzadri, Reader in Development Studies, SOAS
• Natalie Sedacca, Assistant Professor of Employment Law, Durham University

Moderator:

• Michael Dottridge, independent consultant 
• Prabha Kotiswaran, Professor of Law, King's College London

16.00 – 17:30: Panel Discussion

• Implications of WIF lessons
• Wider evidence in this field
• What do we need to focus on globally to achieve progress?

Panellists:

• Joanna Ewart-James, Executive Director and Co-founder, Freedom United
• Tomoya Obokata, UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
• Andrew Patrick, UK Migration and Modern Slavery Envoy, FCDO
• Philippe Vanhuynegem, Branch Chief, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• Patricia Hynes, Professor of Social Justice, Sheffield Hallam University

Respondents (at end)

• Igor Bosc, Chief Technical Adviser, WIF, ILO Arab States

Moderator:

• Michael Dottridge, independent consultant

17.30 – 18.00: Drinks Reception  (Arcade Exhibition, Bush House)

Key documents