Geneva - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) said today the launch of a multi-year partnership would 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 in the industry. With valued support from the US Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration, the two organizations will propel cooperation between the private sector, policy makers and civil society to prevent irregular migration, address unethical recruitment and promote good practice across the industry. 

Madhu Rajesh, the Alliance’s CEO, said the hospitality industry offered 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,” Rajesh said. 

The partnership will harness the multi-stakeholder model of IOM’s IRIS: Ethical Recruitment global 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. 

Monica Goracci, Director of IOM’s Department of Migration Management, said the partnership is an exciting endeavour. “It leverages the combined influence of both organizations to effectively promote ethical recruitment and build respect for the rights of migrant workers.” 

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 works with their members and other partners to raise awareness of human rights risks in the hospitality industry, 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 training to support the wider industry to recognize and mitigate human rights risks. 

“We are delighted to be partnering with the International Organization for Migration,” the Alliance’s Rajesh said. “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.” 

For more information, please contact Sarah McGregor, IOM, Email: smcgregor@iom.int, or Emily McLeish, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Email: emily.mcleish@sustainablehospitalityalliance.org