Fair recruitment

ILO launches a new project for fair recruitment in Philippines

A new ILO initiative aims to protect workers travelling abroad from unfair and deceptive hiring practices.

News | Manila, Philippines | 03 August 2016
© A. Dow / ILO
MANILA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new project to promote fair recruitment practices globally and across specific migration corridors.

The Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment, or FAIR, was launched on 3 August 2016 in Manila. In partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) this 3-year project further aims to reduce cases of deceptive and coercive practices during the recruitment process, and to test new intervention models to regulate effectively and create fair recruitment options for migrant workers.

“The Philippines has made significant progress in developing legislation and policies that address challenges in the recruitment process, including the hiring of migrant domestic workers. It also has another sector – the seafarers – which provides a good model of practice to all – in that no recruitment fees are charged against workers,” said Tomoko Nishimoto, the ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “I hope the FAIR project is able to further develop and showcase innovative practices on fair recruitment, particularly those that benefit low wage workers.”

The Philippines, as one of the pilot countries, will contribute to a global knowledge system on what works and does not work with respect to fair recruitment practices. The FAIR project will use the knowledge and best practices to address regulatory and enforcement gaps, improve complaint and remedy mechanisms, foster social dialogue and ultimately ensure the implementation of fair recruitment practices based on international labour standards and core human rights instruments.

Working closely with government, workers’ and employers’ organizations as well as the media and key civil society partners, the FAIR project will employ the following key strategies: strengthening global knowledge on national and international recruitment practices; reinforcing laws, policies and enforcement mechanisms to enhance fair recruitment practices; promoting fair business practices; and empowering and protecting workers.

“As the vanguard agency that is committed to protect its globally-mobile Filipino workforce, the Department of Labor and Employment welcomes the global fair recruitment initiative of the ILO. The Department has, for many years, worked hand-in-hand with the ILO in promoting decent and productive work in the Philippines. The Fair Recruitment Project is a concrete step in international cooperation towards the promotion of fair, legal, and ethical recruitment principles and practices; combating labour exploitation and debt bondage; and continuing dialogue to address the challenge of reducing the cost of recruitment or labour mobility, which are crucial elements in the management of labour migration,” said Labour Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III.

A tripartite meeting of experts to develop the technical guidelines on fair recruitment, convened by the ILO Governing Body, will be chaired by the Philippines in September 2016. The three-day meeting will finalize the ILO guidelines on fair recruitment, encompassing both cross-border and national recruitment. The guidelines will inform the general discussion on labour migration that has been included on the agenda of the International Labour Conference in June 2017, and the recurrent discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work.

For further information please contact:

Ms Minette Rimando
ILO Country Office for the Philippines - Manila
Tel.: +63 2 580 9905 or 580 9900
Email: rimando@ilo.org

Ms Sophy Fisher
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific - Bangkok
Tel.: +66 8989 50912
Email: fisher@ilo.org