Business and Migration: Roundtables For Collective Action
The aim is to push beyond standard-setting and asserting human rights
To make those standards a living reality for people everywhere "
Over an initial 3-year period (2010-2012) a number of roundtables will be convened in developed countries and emerging markets. Each will focus on issues that are relevant locally to the businesses and other parties who are participating.
Companies invited to participate will be those
working within specific sectors or locations that are both willing and able to
able to use their leverage to influence policy, coordinate best practice and
work collectively to help to deliver sustainable change.
Public sector policy-makers and civil society partners will also be carefully chosen for their ability to influence policy and practice on migration issues in the given region, and their preparedness to engage constructively with the private sector.
Emphasis will be given to both practical action and to achieving attainable policy objectives, such as the development of public-private policy initiatives, frameworks for effective business management of migration, and collective action projects that aim to serve both the interests of business, migrant workers and wider society.
Format
The first Business and Migration Roundtable was convened in London in March 2010. Additional locations will be selected where a nexus of political,commercial and social considerations makes the management of migration a priority and where there is the potential for effective collaboration and action.
The content of each roundtable and any ensuing collective action will be driven by local considerations and the experience of the participants to work collectively and across sectors. Themes to be explored by the Roundtables include:
· Why migration matters for business - focusing on sector or country-specific risks and opportunities.
· What role the private sector can play with national or regional authorities to enhance the opportunities of well-managed migration for the government, communities, employers and migrant workers, while reducing the risks of exploitation and abuse.
· Principles and guidelines – A starting point for collaboration?
· The scope for on-going cross-sector dialogue and collective business-led initiatives to raise standards in migration protection.
Roundtable 1 - Protecting Migrant Workers in Supply Chains
- March 24th 2010 - London
Roundtable 2 - Migrant Workers in The Hospitality Industry
Roundtables 3 and 4
Likely to feature:
- Practical in-country roundtable for suppliers, recruitment agencies and brands
- Strategic policy focused event for brands and government policy makers.
Detailed research is being conducted to identify the best targets, likely locations include:
- Bangladesh - Likely focus: recruitment processes. Role of receiving and sending countries.
- Indonesia - Likely focus: role of sending countries, remittances etc.
- Vietnam - Likely focus: internal migration.
- Philippines/Malaysia – Likely focus: remittances, care sector migration,
Final Convening – London 2012
A larger meeting will be convened in
2012 to draw together lessons learned from the different regions and to explore
opportunities for scaling-up good practice or extending the work beyond the
initial three year programme.
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