“The International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS)” WORKSHOP ON UNSCRUPULOUS IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS Regional Conference on Migration “The International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS)” Guatemala City 17th December , 2014 Ricardo Cordero Senior Regional Specialist Labour Migration – IOM Regional Office

Presentation Overview International labour recruitment: the key issues What do we mean by fair and ethical recruitment? Global trends IOM’s experience in labour recruitment & lessons learned Public-Private Alliance for Fair and Ethical Recruitment The International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS) Benefits for all stakeholders IOM’s role in IRIS Next steps

International labour recruitment: the issues Recruitment is the most important step in the labour migration process. Unethical recruitment negatively impacts upon government programmes and regulatory frameworks. Fraudulent recruitment has broader implications on individuals and businesses.

International labour recruitment: the issues Implications of unethical recruitment for workers, employers and the recruitment industry: Private Sector Migrants Harm to business reputation Violated human and labour rights Criminal liability Decreased earnings Decreased worker productivity Debt bondage Unfair competition Labour trafficking Lack of transparency Poor skills matching

International labour recruitment: the issues Implications of unethical recruitment for countries of origin: Links to organized crime and trafficking rings Decreased remittance transfers Decreased development benefits Implications of unethical recruitment for countries of destination: Downward pressure on labour market for nationals Compromised integrity of immigration and labour market programmes Increased irregular migration

What do we mean by fair or ethical recruitment? No fees to job seekers; employers pay full costs of recruitment. No unlawful retention of passports, identity documents or other personal property. Transparency in the recruitment process; all intermediaries should be identified and registered (when regulations exist). No contract substitution; contract should be in the worker’s own language. Redress mechanisms to resolve conflict. Respect for all labour rights provided by law.

Current global trends Convergence of efforts in promoting fair recruitment Companies have a growing understanding of the need for ethical and fair labour recruitment to meet their needs. Companies are increasingly linking recruitment abuses to other employment-related abuses in their supply chains. Acceptance that unethical recruitment is a global problem requiring a global solution.

IOM’s experience in labour recruitment IOM is a trusted partner in international recruitment facilitation >10,000 workers from Colombia, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras and Mauritius destined to Canadian, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish companies. Increasing interest from both private sector and governments concerned with integrity in the recruitment and migration process.

IOM’s experience in labour recruitment Core components of IOM recruitment facilitation: Partnerships with governments (source and destination), directly with employers and with other recruitment agencies Creation of databases of available workers in targeted occupations/ sectors Pre-screening, qualifications and skills testing, selection and up-skilling Pre-departure orientation, both cultural and pre-employment (tailored to the specific employer and location of work) Medical and security screening Assistance with immigration processing Travel arrangements and transit assistance Return and reintegration assistance

Lessons learned Engagement with governments is important Witness to enforcement gaps of regulations governing recruitment intermediaries Know your clients (employers, other recruiters) – due diligence in terms of ensuring shared values Empower migrants as much as possible so they can make informed decisions Competition from unscrupulous intermediaries

Public-Private Alliance for Fair and Ethical Recruitment IOM is creating a PPA open to all stakeholders committed to seeking new ways to address unethical recruitment: Recruiters and Temporary Employment Agencies Governments Intergovernmental Organizations Civil Society Organizations Employers/Brands

International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS) Through the Public-Private Alliance, IRIS will: Establish an accreditation and auditing framework for international labour recruitment based on a code of conduct. Operate on the basis of voluntary membership for recruiters and employers Bridge the jurisdictional and regulatory gaps between countries of origin and destination. Institute a complaints and referral mechanism. Reduce unethical recruitment through capacity building with governments, recruiters and employers.

Benefits for all stakeholders Dissemination of reliable information on fair recruitment practices. Transparency in recruitment practices. Level playing field for ethical recruiters and employers. Brand protection and the promotion of socially responsible business. Maximized development gains for individual migrant workers, their countries of origin and countries of destination. Promotion of legal immigration and fair treatment of foreign workers/new immigrants.

IOM’s role in IRIS IOM is facilitating the creation of the Public- Private Alliance for Fair and Ethical Recruitment . Dissemination of information and creation of broad international membership capitalizing on IOM’s global footprint. IRIS aims to become self-sustaining and independent, with IOM as its Secretariat.

Next steps Finalize IRIS Guiding Principles and Code of Conduct (in close coordination with partners). Convene working groups with partners to develop the operational procedures for the Certification Process and Monitoring Protocol. Implement three pilot projects in selected migration corridors to test the IRIS Certification Process. Consolidate IRIS governance involving key stakeholders in order to preserve impartiality and transparency. Enhance IRIS visibility and dissemination, including the website and the Internet portal.

Thank you Ricardo Cordero rcordero@iom Thank you Ricardo Cordero rcordero@iom.int IOM - Regional Office for Central America, North America and the Caribbean San Jose, Costa Rica Phone #: + 506.2221.5335 IRIS@iom.int http://iris.iom.int/