The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has introduced two new tools to help businesses handle complaints raised by migrant workers more effectively. Announced in Geneva on October 14, 2025, the guides aim to make grievance systems fair, transparent, and centred on protecting workers’ rights.
According to IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, migrant workers are the backbone of many industries, yet their concerns often go unheard. She noted that the new resources will help companies listen, respond, and provide real solutions to improve workplace fairness and economic strength.
Migrant workers play an essential role across global industries but are three times more likely to face forced labour compared to non-migrants. Many lack safe channels to voice their concerns, which often leaves them vulnerable to exploitation. Strengthening grievance systems, IOM said, is key to ensuring workers’ rights, building trust, and maintaining sustainable supply chains.
Archana Kotecha—CEO and Founder of The Remedy Project—stressed that effective grievance handling is now both a necessity and an opportunity for businesses. “Migrant workers are at the heart of supply chains, yet their grievances are too often ignored,” she explained. “Through collaboration between IOM, civil society, and the private sector, these new tools give businesses the clarity and confidence to act responsibly.”
The guides were created through a partnership between IOM and The Remedy Project, with input from private sector and civil society experts. They offer both conceptual and practical guidance to help companies design fair and credible remediation systems.
The Handbook provides the foundational understanding of what a fair remedy system should look like. It explains how companies can align with international human rights standards, include workers in the process, and prevent retaliation against those who speak up.
The Operational Guidelines take these ideas further by outlining a seven-step remediation process. They include model policies, safety measures, and useful tools that companies can apply to resolve grievances effectively and ethically.
What does this mean for migrant workers?
It means businesses now have clear guidance to create workplaces where migrant voices are valued, complaints are resolved fairly, and human rights are respected across supply chains.
The IOM and The Remedy Project hope that these new guides will help build a future where migrant workers are not only protected but also empowered to contribute fully to fair and sustainable economies.