Argentina - As part of the efforts to roll out the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights IOM participated in the first Latin America and Caribbean Regional forum on Business and Human Rights in Medellin, Colombia.

The event ending today, brought together more than 400 representatives from governments, businesses and civil society to raise awareness regarding these new principles, and to discuss their implementation.

Migrant workers are often at increased risk of becoming vulnerable in part because of their migration status, but more so because of their lack of understanding of their rights and responsibilities protected through labour legislation, as well as a lack of knowledge of the options available to them.  Migrants can be exploited by any one or a combination of the following: recruitment intermediaries, unscrupulous employers, smugglers or traffickers.   This can result in false job promises, misleading terms and conditions of employment to, and in extreme cases, debt bondage, forced labour and human trafficking.

During the three day event, hosted by the Government of Colombia, and UNDP, IOM presented in a panel regarding the implementation of the Guiding Principles and vulnerable groups, raising the plight of thousands of migrant workers in the region, and the need to ensure that their rights are upheld.  IOM’s presentation stressed significant advances have been made by States in the region to ensure the protection of migrant workers through the establishment of institutional and regulatory frameworks, but raised the need for collaboration between States and the private sector, in particular in relation to the recruitment of migrant workers.

For further information please contact:

Magdalena Mactas
IOM Buenos Aires
Tel: +54 (9) 11 67 35 61 60
Email: mmactas@iom.int