The International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed the winners of the 2024 Global Media Competition on Labour Migration to commemorate International Migrants Day on December 18. The competition, which highlights the importance of balanced and ethical reporting, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and drew over 430 entries from 92 countries.
This year, the competition introduced a special prize for reporting on forced labour, marking the tenth anniversary of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention. Migrant workers are recognized as being three times more vulnerable to forced labour than national workers, emphasizing the importance of quality journalism in addressing this issue.
The Professional category winners included Salma Chatt for her piece “Investigation from inside the camps of torture of Moroccans in Myanmar: ‘Hell Valley’,” published in Voice of Morocco. Kristina Vejnbender and her team were recognized for “Business of poverty: How Ukrainian refugees are being exploited throughout the EU,” published by the International Women’s Media Foundation. Balboné Abdoulaye was also honored for his article, “Commune rurale de Boussouma: la diaspora trace les sillons du développement,” published in Sidwaya.
Babatunde Titilola received the special prize for his work “Harrowing tales of survivors trapped in the web of trafficking,” published in Punch. In the Student category, Lily Kristanto’s piece “How are we going to escape? Behind the Glitz and Glamour of Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa,” published by ABC News, was selected.
An independent panel of judges evaluated the entries based on creativity, accuracy, balance, and their ability to protect and positively portray migrants. The winning stories were commended for amplifying migrant workers’ voices and shedding light on their challenges while fostering greater understanding of migration realities.
The competition aims to shift public narratives on migration, emphasizing good governance of labour migration, fair recruitment practices, and the protection of migrant workers’ rights. It aligns with the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and the Global Compact for Refugees, which advocate for improved conditions for migrant workers and combating exploitation.
Organized in collaboration with several international partners, including the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Organization of Employers, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the competition continues to highlight the critical role of journalists in shaping migration narratives and policies.