Migrant workers are facing severe, systemic human and labour rights violations across global supply chains – exacerbated by the exploitative business models of major multinational companies. A new global analysis drawing on hundreds of documented cases of migrant worker abuse reveals both the scale and scope of harm, and a widespread failure of companies to address it, enabling a hostile environment without checks or remedy. Despite the promise of shared prosperity heralded by a digitalised and green economy, the report highlights how the technological revolution and energy transition have exposed migrant workers to new forms of exploitation and fewer avenues for accountability.

In 2025, the Business and Human Rights Centre recorded 747 allegations of abuse against migrant workers globally, spanning sectors from construction and manufacturing to agrifood, hospitality, technology and clean energy. Workers reported wage theft, occupational health and safety violations, intimidation, and forced labour indicators, often experiencing multiple violations at once.

The findings point to a deepening accountability crisis: compared to previous years, workers more frequently faced barriers to accessing remedy, including intimidation, dismissal and deportation when raising complaints. Unscrupulous employers allegedly concealed abuses, harassed complainants and threatened workers, while brands at the top of the value chain failed to act when violations were identified at suppliers.

Almost 600 named companies were linked to cases of abuse, with Meta, Adidas, Levi Strauss, LVMH and VF Corporation linked to the highest number.

Key findings from 2025 data included:

• 747 cases of migrant worker abuse recorded across the year, linked to 584 named companies.
• Most cases (70%) took place in countries in the Global North and 80% were linked to Global North-headquartered companies.
• Yet 95% of cases impacted workers who originated from the Global South, underscoring stark global inequalities.
• Agri-food supply chains (237 cases), construction (121 cases), manufacturing (80 cases), and hotels, restaurants and leisure (81 cases) accounted for the highest number of cases by sector.
• Most frequently recorded abuses: violations of employment standards, and occupational health and safety (OHS) violations.
• Relative to previous years, workers more frequently reported barriers accessing remedy (27% of cases, relative to 23% in 2024 and 15% in 2023).
• Abuse was severe, with at least 98 fatalities recorded.
• Workers commonly experienced multiple violations simultaneously: in 47% of cases, three or more types of abuse occurred at once.

Catriona Fraser, Migrant Workers Researcher, Business and Human Rights Centre, said: “These findings come amid escalating global instability. Conflict, climate breakdown and political hostility towards migrants are reshaping migration corridors and increasing vulnerability. Across sectors and geographies, migrant workers are being subjected to severe and systemic human rights violations, from widespread wage theft and violence, to conditions of forced labour. These abuses are not isolated failures: they are the result of extractive business models that prioritise profit at the expense of human rights, including by pushing risks down opaque supply chains through subcontracting, poor purchasing practices and weak oversight.

“At the same time, global economic shifts driven by the technological revolution and energy transition are creating new and diverse harms for migrant workforces. Companies can tackle these risks by moving beyond tick-box approaches and conducting human rights due diligence that centres the experiences of migrant workers. The largest multinationals at the top of global value chains have the power and responsibility to drive this change and ensure just and equitable tech and energy transitions”.

Spotlight on the USA

For the first time, cases in which migrant workers were arrested or deported while also experiencing labour rights violations at the hands of their employers rose exponentially, particularly in the USA – driven by a sharp escalation in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Workers became more isolated and working conditions declined, highlighting the dangerous intersection between hostile migration policies and workplace exploitation.

Additionally, US-headquartered companies were linked to abuse 267 times – almost four times more frequently than companies headquartered in the UK, the next most common country. Despite the prevalence of human rights policy commitments, the frequency of abuse and associated lack of mitigation or remediation efforts by US companies points to an alarming gap between policy and practice.

Catriona Fraser, Migrant Workers Researcher, Business and Human Rights Centre, said: “The sharp rise in arrests and deportations of workers who were already facing labour abuse should be a wake-up call for companies with operations in the US and their investors. When protections for migrants are being eroded while immigration enforcement escalates, businesses must be alert to the increasing risk of abuse and ensure their operations and supply chains are not compounding harm. Firms must double down on implementing their human rights commitments in practice, ensure safe access to remedy regardless of migration status, and defend the institutions and initiatives that underpin responsible business.”

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Notes to editors:

• Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRC) is a global organisation working at the intersection of business and human rights. With partners and allies worldwide, we seek to put human rights at the heart of business to deliver a just economy, climate justice, and end abuse. Find out more about our approach here.
• The Migrant Worker Allegations Database tracks cases of migrant worker abuse in global business supply chains. The data is analysed to identify trends in abuses, impacted demographics, locations of abuse and implicated companies and industries. Find out more about the methodology here.

Media contact: Priyanka Mogul, Senior Media Officer, Business and Human Rights Centre, [email protected]