Migrant workers are the so-called invisible workers propping up all sectors of the economy, public and private. We have seen time and time again that migrant workers, despite facing language barriers, precarious contracts and systemic discrimination, are ready to take collective action when they have the support they need.

Whether through strike action, occupations or mass rallies, UVW members refuse to be ignored.

Grievance mechanisms are only as strong as the workers’ determination to stand together and take action. But when workers know their rights and have the collective strength of a union behind them, they fight back and they win. Too often, companies implement hollow processes that exist only on paper while workers remain unheard and exploited.

For UVW, ‘We are no longer invisible’ is more than just our slogan. It’s a statement of power. When workers come together, they not only fight for their own dignity but inspire others to do the same. Visibility is resistance, a resistance that exposes the failures of corporations and governments that exploit outsourcing to create a two-tier system where black, brown and migrant workers are treated as second-class citizens.

Now is the time for the trade union movement to step up, return to its roots and organise at the frontlines where the most exploited workers stand.

Malaysian migrant labour intensive export industries, including plastics, electronics, palm oil, furniture and garments, an essential part of many international companies and brands global supply chains and finished products, currently consist of conditions prevalent for systemic migrant forced labour. Brands, buyers, investors, law enforcement agencies around the world and consumers need to do more to prevent and remediate such prevalent modern slavery conditions in Malaysia.

BHRRC's insightful report draws attention to the nature of exploitative migrant labour in the global economy today, and significantly doesn't shy away from naming the companies, sectors and governments that are most implicated.

We fully endorse the report’s recommendation for governmental reforms of temporary labour schemes, which routinely result in workers being forced to endure dangerous working conditions, wage theft and unlivable accommodation. 

The report shows the agricultural and fishing sectors are particularly high risk, and recommends that alternative initiatives such as Worker-Driven Social Responsibility (WSR) programmes be explored. We urge UK supermarkets to recognise the WSR projects that are emerging in European seafood and agriculture sectors and to commit to collaborating and fully engaging with these. We recognise that it takes time to develop bespoke, worker-led models and that this may be less straightforward and present more challenges compared to continuing with existing certification schemes, audits and multi-stakeholder initiatives. But these have been demonstrated time and again not to work – new ways to improve conditions must be invested in.

We also support Business and Human Rights Resource Centre’s call for improved supply chain transparency. Transparency on its own won’t eliminate workers’ rights abuses but it’s a straightforward step brands can take right now to improve accountability and make it increasingly possible for the link to be made between abusive working conditions on one end of the supply chain, and the end consumer product on the other – a connection which has on countless occasions served to draw attention to and catalyse change within exploitative supply chains.

Every day, on construction sites around the world, we witness migrant workers enduring extreme conditions: long hours, dangerous worksites, stolen wages, and total disregard for their dignity and rights. Too often, they are treated as disposable, forced to work under life-threatening conditions, trapped by recruitment debt, and denied the fundamental protection of the right to organize.

Whether in the Gulf, Europe, the United States, or Asia, the same patterns persist: tight project deadlines and cost-cutting measures push workers to the brink, while fragmented subcontracting chains shield those responsible. Without strong protections, accountability remains elusive, and exploitation thrives. Ending this cycle requires real enforcement of labour rights, the right to organize, and fundamental changes to business models that prioritize short-term profits over workers' lives. No worker should have to risk their life or livelihood simply to build our cities and infrastructure.