Background:

Labour migration and migrant workers are a key contemporary feature of global supply chains, with an estimated 164 million migrant workers globally representing around 5% of the global labour force. Migrant workers are present in most enterprises and workplaces integrated into the global economy through supply chains of various sectors such as the agriculture, food-processing, manufacturing and hospitality sector. At the same time, migrant workers remain disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, with forced labour prevalence more than three times higher then that of non-migrant workers.

In this context, IOM's MIRAC funded project Sustaining and Scaling Private Sector Engagement to Protect Migrant Workers in Europe aims to strengthen the protection of migrant workers in supply-chains. The project seeks to strengthen IOM’s cooperation with the private sector and to contribute to policy development in this area.

Objective:

This event will bring together policymakers, private sector, social partners, civil society representatives and practitioners to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and identify good-practices and key recommendations to strengthen the protection of migrant workers in supply-chain contexts in Europe and beyond.

Panelists:

• Opening Remarks: Ola Henrikson, Regional Director, IOM International Organization for Migration Regional Office for the EEA, EU, and NATO

• Moderation & Closing Remarks: Sandra Paola Alvarez, Senior Regional Thematic Specialist, Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion, International Organization for Migration Regional Office for the EEA, EU, and NATO

• Presentation: István Németh, Policy Officer, Corporate Sustainability, Business, and Human Rights, DG GROWTH, European Commission

• Panelist: Zsuzsanna Felkai Janssen, Team Leader, Office of the European Union (EU) Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, European Commission

• Panelist: Antonio Alvarado Barroso, Head of Labour Unit for the government sub-delegation in Huelva, Directorate General for Migrations, Ministry for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration in Spain

• Panelist: Sven Wiltink, Global Director of Responsible Business for Radisson Hotel Group

• Panelist: Oznur Ozcelik, Sustainability Social Program Specialist for the European region, H&M

• Panelist: Mercedes Miletti, Policy Advisor Migration, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

Agenda