Lured by a job, trapped in forced labour

In search of a job to support his family, a man accepts an offer from a recruiter and signs a contract for what looks like a good job with decent wages. Once at destination, the reality is very different.

Making Fair Recruitment a Reality!

This video chronicles the ILO’s effort to establish a corridor to recruit fairly workers from Nepal to Jordan to work in the ready-made garment sector. It highlights the power of the various actors in a supply chain to make positive change when they work together to achieve a common objective that benefits each of them.

Fair recruitment videos

Series of videos on fair recruitment:

The ILO General Principles for Fair Recruitment (short version)

The ILO General Principles for Fair Recruitment (long version)

Guildelines for fair recruitment of migrant labour - Governments

Guildelines for fair recruitment of migrant labour - Entreprises

The role and responsibilities of trade unions

Fair recruitment matters

Definition of recruitment fees and related costs

This video outlines the definition of recruitment fees and related costs, adopted by a Tripartite Meeting of Experts, held in Geneva in November 2018. The definition recognizes the principle that workers shall not be charged directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, any fees or related costs for their recruitment. This comprehensive definition is guided by international labour standards and should be read together with the General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment.

Ensuring Fair recruitment, what the ILO has achieved, an infostory

A recruitment process is only fair when carried out within the law and in line with the International Labour Standards, but most importantly when it respects human rights.

Building on ILO’s extensive experience in improving labour migration and preventing forced labour, the Fair Recruitment Initiative was launched in 2014 to protect workers from abuse and exploitation, while also responding to labour market needs.

As the ILO launches the second phase of the Fair Recruitment Initiative, we look at how it has reformed recruitment laws and practices around the world, and has improved workers’ lives.

General principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment and definition of recruitment fees and related costs

The principles and guidelines aim to inform the current and future work of the ILO and of other organizations, national legislatures, and the social partners on promoting and ensuring fair recruitment. The principles and guidelines were developed by a Tripartite Meeting of Experts, held in September 2016.

The definition of recruitment fees and related costs recognizes the principle that workers shall not be charged directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, any fees or related costs for their recruitment. This comprehensive definition is guided by international labour standards and should be read together with the principles and guidelines. The definition was adopted by a Tripartite Meeting of Experts, held in Geneva in November 2018.

Together this guidance forms a comprehensive approach to realizing fair recruitment through development, implementation and enforcement of laws and policies aiming to regulate the recruitment industry and protect workers’ rights.

This guidance is developed within the framework of the Fair Recruitment Initiative, which aims to help prevent human trafficking, protect the rights of workers (including migrant workers) from abusive and fraudulent practices during the recruitment and placement process, reduce the cost of labour migration and enhance development gains.

ILO ILM statistics database

This page presents statistical information on migrant worker stocks, inflows and outflows. 

ILO Global estimates on international migrant workers: Results and methodology

This third edition of the ILO Global estimates on international migrant workers: Results and methodology presents the most recent estimates on the stock of international migrant workers, disaggregated by age, sex, country-income group and region, and the estimation methodology. The reference year is 2019. The report predates the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, which has affected the magnitude and characteristics of international labour migration. The estimates offer a benchmark against which the COVID-19 driven changes can be analysed in the future.

The periodic publication of this report provides information on recent trends on labour migration and therefore contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as supporting policymaking at the country, regional and global levels.

El acceso de refugiados y otras personas desplazadas por la fuerza al mercado de trabajo

Documento de referencia y proyecto de principios rectores de la OIT para su discusión en la Reunión técnica tripartita sobre el acceso de refugiados y otras personas desplazadas por la fuerza al mercado de trabajo.

Este documento de referencia y el proyecto de principios rectores de la OIT se han preparado con el fin de proporcionar una base y un marco para las deliberaciones de la Reunión técnica.