Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announces that the United States is joining the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative

Guatemala City – In his opening remarks to the 3rd Ministerial Meeting on the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has announced the United States' is joining the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) and its Advisory Committee. This decision underscores the United States' commitment to advancing the Fair Recruitment agenda and contributing to the global effort to ensure fair recruitment practices and protect migrant workers from exploitation and abuse. Anthony Blinken also encouraged other countries to join the Fair Recruitment Initiative.

The ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) aims to ensure that recruitment practices nationally and across borders are grounded in labour standards, developed through social dialogue, and ensure gender equality. The Initiative foster transparent, regulated, and monitored recruitment practices that protect workers' rights, prevent forced labour, and respond to employment policies and labour market needs effectively. At the core of the FRI are the ILO General principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment and the definition of recruitment fees and related costs, adopted by ILO tripartite constituents in 2016 and 2018 respectively. 

By joining the Advisory Committee, the United States will be part of the tripartite body composed of representatives from governments, social partners, and development agencies, and will be able to play a crucial role in guiding the implementation of the Fair Recruitment Initiative. Coming from diverse regional contexts, the Committee members can leverage their experiences and perspectives to identify priorities, address common challenges, and propose effective strategies.

About the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative

The ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) was launched in 2014 as part of the ILO Director General’s call for a Fair Migration Agenda. The Fair Recruitment Initiative's vision is to ensure that recruitment practices nationally and across borders are grounded in labour standards, are developed through social dialogue, and ensure gender equality. 

Specifically, recruitment practices:

• are transparent and effectively regulated, monitored, and enforced; 
• protect all workers’ rights, including fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW), and prevent human trafficking and forced labour; and
• efficiently inform and respond to employment policies and labour market needs, including for recovery and resilience.

The 2021-25 Strategy (Phase II) is grounded in four pillars:

• Pillar 1: Enhancing, exchanging and disseminating global knowledge on national and international recruitment processes
• Pillar 2: Improving laws, policies and enforcement to promote fair recruitment
• Pillar 3: Promoting fair business practices
• Pillar 4: Empowering and protecting workers

For more information on the ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative and the Advisory Committee, visit the dedicated portals on Fair recruitment and the Fair Recruitment Initiative.