The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched two new guides to help businesses respond effectively to grievances raised by migrant workers. These resources aim to create grievance systems that are fair, transparent, and centred on the rights and needs of workers, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.
IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, emphasized that migrant workers are essential to many industries, yet their concerns often go unheard. The new tools provide companies with the means to listen, respond, and implement real solutions, fostering fairer workplaces and stronger economies. Migrant workers face heightened risks, including being three times more likely to experience forced labour compared to non-migrants, making the strengthening of grievance systems critical for both protecting worker rights and building trust within supply chains.
Archana Kotecha, CEO and Founder of The Remedy Project, highlighted that effective remediation is both a necessity and an opportunity. By collaborating with civil society and the private sector, the guides offer clarity and confidence for companies to manage risks responsibly while fostering resilient, rights-respecting workplaces. They ensure that migrant workers’ grievances are taken seriously and handled appropriately.
Developed in partnership with The Remedy Project and informed by consultations with private sector and civil society stakeholders, the guides provide a conceptual framework as well as practical guidance. The Handbook outlines the principles and ecosystem of remediation, emphasizing worker inclusion, safeguards against retaliation, and alignment with international human rights standards. The Operational Guidelines translate these principles into action, offering a seven-step remediation process, model policies, safeguarding measures, and practical tools for companies to establish credible and effective grievance systems.
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