The world’s leading hotel groups are standing together to tackle the issue of forced labour. The industry came together with ITP – the International Tourism Partnership – to launch ITP’s Principles on Forced Labour at an event in Singapore.
The Principles represent a big first step for ITP helping its members reach their Goal for 2030 on Human Rights.
ITP’s Principles are supported by the organisation’s thirteen member hotel groups. Five of the hotel companies – Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott, and Radisson Hotel Group - attended the launch earlier today in Singapore, sending their senior regional representatives and global CSR leads. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, IHG Executive Vice President George Turner and Hilton Executive Vice President Global Corporate Affairs, Katie Fallon also sent video messages in support of the Principles.
ITP’s Principles on Forced Labour are:
I. Every worker should have freedom of movement.
The ability of workers to move freely should not be restricted by their employer through abuse, threats and practices such as unlawful retention of passport and valuable possessions.
II. No worker should pay for a job.
Fees and costs associated with recruitment and obtaining employment should not be paid by workers.
III. No worker should be indebted or coerced to work.
Workers should work voluntarily, be informed of their employment terms and conditions in advance without misrepresentation, and paid regularly as agreed and in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Launching the Principles, Madhu Rajesh, Director of ITP, said, “Nearly 25 million people worldwide are estimated to be held in forced labour today. Forced labour happens when people are coerced to work through violence or intimidation, or via accumulated debt, retention of identity papers or threats of reporting to immigration authorities. Forced labour is an unacceptable human rights violation that can result from unethical employment and recruitment practices throughout the labour supply chain, including for hotels.
“Last year ITP took a stand on the four critical issues which the industry’s stakeholders want the hotel sector to be addressing, via the launch of ITP’s Goals for 2030. The Goals set out our vision for how hotel companies can work together on carbon, water, youth employment and human rights. ITP’s Principles on Forced Labour move us closer on our Goal for human rights, and our members are united in their support of our Goals and these three Principles.”
ITP’s work has been widely commended as an example of international sectoral commitment to address a critical human rights issue. An infographic explaining the Principles and why they're needed can be downloaded here.
Kevin Hyland, outgoing UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said, “I am pleased to see the International Tourism Partnership taking on the challenge of tackling forced labour. No person in the 21st century should have their liberty withheld and be coerced into work under threats of mental or physical duress.
“By committing to uphold freedom of movement, the eradication of recruitment fees, and the end of such coercion, ITP is doing commendable work to ensure we eradicate this abuse. I encourage all hotels to apply these Principles and commend those taking meaningful action.”
Dr. Shawn MacDonald, CEO Verité, commented, “Verité has followed ITP’s work on human rights closely in recent years and I’m delighted to see international hotel companies focusing their collaboration on the most salient risks in the sector. The ITP Principles on Forced Labour send a very positive signal that the hotel industry is moving in the right direction on this issue, and will hopefully encourage further engagement and action from companies to address this issue worldwide.”
Meenal Sachdev, founder and director of the Shiva Foundation said, “Shiva Foundation has been working in collaboration with the International Tourism Partnership for a number of years in order to engage international brands in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery risks within the hotel industry. ITP has also been part of the Shiva Foundation Stop Slavery Hotel Industry Network since its inception, and has contributed to the Network’s “Framework for Working with Suppliers: Mitigating Risk of Modern Slavery” which was launched in March 2018.
“We strive to always complement each other’s work and with this in mind we welcome the ITP Principles on Forced Labour as a wonderful example of leadership in the industry to address human rights in recruitment and employment. We encourage hotels everywhere to adopt the Principles and work towards concrete actions that will end unethical employment practices throughout the supply chain.”
ITP’s Principles on Forced Labour are based on work done by The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and align with their Priority Industry Principles. They were launched today at The Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment and Employment organised by the CGF and Institute for Human Rights and Business with the International Labour Organisation and the International Organisation for Migration, in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Source: Green Hotelier