5 August 2016

The private sector can play a significant role to help generate economic security and the realization of basic rights for refugees and migrant workers.  Companies can participate in initiatives to increase decent work opportunities and can, at a minimum, carry out robust due diligence to eradicate exploitation from their operations and supply chains, such as forced and child labour, and sexual abuse.

Unfortunately, this potential is only partly met.  There is a vast breach between leader and laggard companies in terms of policy and practice. The evidence from our own extensive database, our survey of 30 garment brands regarding efforts to protect Syrian refugees in their Turkish supply chain, outreach to companies in Europe, and recent workshop in Jordan clearly demonstrate this performance gap.  There is an opportunity to transform the business role with regard to refugees and migrants for the better.