The 7th Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment took place in London on 25 and 26 June. It was organized by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IRHB) and it included experts who highlighted some of the challenges in current employment practices.
Why is this topic so relevant?
The topic is relevant because it relates to the treatment of employees from the beginning of the hiring process. The promotion of ethical practices ensures fair treatment of workers, compliance with labor laws, and protection against exploitation and human trafficking. Transparency in hiring processes is a sign of just wages, care for employees, and the creation of safe working conditions. Additionally, responsible recruitment practices are linked to building trust and the reputation of companies which leads to higher employee satisfaction and contributes to staff retention.
Forum highlights
Some of the common risks are associated with the recruitment of migrants through various recruitment agencies that often charge fees. Monitoring these risks is important for companies, and platforms like KnowTheChain are useful tools for companies seeking ways to identify and mitigate risks to the labor rights of migrants. One of the solutions to address the risks of labor exploitation is the application of the ethical approach “Employer Pays.” This is also the first of the principles for responsible recruitment and hiring of migrant workers, known as the “Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity. According to this principle, employers cover all recruitment costs, and migrants do not owe fees to intermediary firms. There are also tools such as an open recruitment cost calculator, designed to provide transparency in the costs of ethical recruitment. One of the main conclusions from the forum is to enable migrant workers to share their concerns, be informed about their rights, and be assured that they will be treated with dignity and respect and work in a safe working environment.
In Bulgaria
The growing demand for labor workforce in Bulgaria is increasing the number of people who choose our country for work. Many employers are in the process of recruiting workers from third countries. This is why there is a need to improve awareness about the risks for both future employees and companies hiring migrants or people from third countries. The Employment Agency is part of an initiative to raise awareness about the risks of labor exploitation and how vulnerable groups can feel more protected. The increasing requirements for companies, influenced by new human rights legislation that encourages companies to conduct human rights due diligence in the fight against forced labor, demonstrate the growing need for cooperation between companies and governments.
