Recruitment Fees Heavily Impact Migrant Workers: ILO

Recruitment fees charged to workers, particularly migrant laborers, pose a significant threat to their rights and well-being, says the International Labour Organization (ILO). Despite the establishment of guidelines to protect workers from bearing recruitment costs, many continue to incur expenses that can lead to debt bondage and forced labor. 

Migrant workers can face recruitment fees and related costs amounting to as much as 14.6 months of their wages, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (2022). A recent ILO report indicates that US$5.6 billion is profited annually from migrants trapped in forced labor situations due to these fees, representing a clear violation of labor rights.

In response to growing concerns over worker-paid recruitment costs, the ILO convened a Tripartite Meeting of Experts in 2018 that resulted in the establishment of the first internationally recognized definition of recruitment fees and related costs, known as the “ILO Definition.” This definition aims to clarify the parameters of recruitment fees, emphasizing that any costs incurred during the recruitment process should not be charged to workers.

The General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment reinforce this stance, specifying that workers should not directly or indirectly pay any fees associated with their recruitment. The issue of recruitment fees is increasingly recognized on a global scale, with significant international agreements focusing on their elimination. The United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the importance of preventing costs borne by employees to facilitate safe and responsible migration. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration also calls on states to prohibit recruiters and employers from imposing such fees to prevent exploitation.

In a proactive move to support migrant workers, the Unions United with Modern Mexico (SUCOMM), with the assistance of the ILO, opened Migrant Workers’ Resource Centers (MRC) in Tijuana and Cancun. These centers serve potential migrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees, along with their families and local community members, by providing essential information and support regarding labor rights and access to justice in cases of violations. 

In the Americas, the regulatory landscape regarding recruitment fees presents a mixed picture. While most countries in the region prohibit such fees, enforcement and regulatory frameworks vary. Some countries provide general statements against recruitment fees, while others include detailed breakdowns of prohibited costs. Furthermore, the legal and policy measures concerning recruitment fees often apply to both national and international workers.