On 21st of March 2024, the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) Advisory Committee convened in its annual meeting to review progress, challenges and opportunities on advancing the ILO fair recruitment agenda globally. Marking the 10th anniversary of the FRI, 2024 is a strategic turning point for the Initiative and an opportunity to take stock on achievements and areas for improvement and shaping a new vision for the future.

Members of the advisory Committee, under the joint chairpersonship of the governments of Mexico and Italy, included representatives of the governments of Bangladesh, Kenya, Qatar, Switzerland Tunisia, the United States of America (as observer), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Swiss Development Cooperation.

Members reviewed the “model roadmap for implementation of fair recruitment principles at national level”, proposed by the co-chairs and drafted in consultation with Committee members and recommended it broad dissemination and use in pilto countries. Achievements of the FRI under the previous biennium were shared and discussed as well as proposal for priority areas fo work, new products and targets for 2024-2025. Committee Members reiterated their commitment to the Fair Recruitment Initiative and to explore opportunities for enhance visibility and advocacy efforts to mark its 10th anniversary.

The Committee reaffirmed the importance of strategic vision of the Fair Recruitment Initiative and agreed on a participatory process for the development of a new FRI strategy the years to come.

The governments representative of Mexico agreed to extend it current cochair role for the year 2024 and was joined in this role by the government of Qatar, a strong signal of commitment of both countries to moving forward the Fair Recruitment agenda at global, regional and national level. Recognizing the relevance of the ILO approach to the subject and the need to continue prioritize fair recruitment in all regions and accelerate progress, committee members agreed to expand the membership to additional countries to ensure better regional representation and diversity.

The Advisory Committee will continue to 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.