Fair recruitment

The ILO General Principles for Fair Recruitment

The ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment, with a definition of recruitment fees and related costs, are non-binding guidance for governments, employers and recruiters. Their central rule is that workers should not pay for their own recruitment.

• The general principles and operational guidelines were adopted by a Meeting of Experts on Fair Recruitment in Geneva on 5 to 7 September 2016, and the ILO Governing Body authorized their publication at its 328th Session.^2,1
• A Tripartite Meeting of Experts in November 2018 adopted a definition of recruitment fees and related costs. The ILO published the combined document on 22 May 2019.¹
• General principle 7 says: "No recruitment fees or related costs should be charged to, or otherwise borne by, workers or jobseekers."²
• The definition covers any fees or costs incurred in the recruitment process for workers to secure employment or placement, regardless of the manner, timing or location of their imposition or collection.²
• Other principles include clear and verifiable terms of employment, preferably in written contracts, workers' voluntary agreement free from deception or coercion, and free and accurate information about rights and conditions.²
• The principles also say workers' identity documents and contracts should not be confiscated or retained, that migrant workers should be able to change employer or return home without needing permission, and that grievance mechanisms and remedies should be accessible regardless of legal status.²

Sources

1. International Labour Organization, General principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment and definition of recruitment fees and related costs (22 May 2019)
2. International Labour Office (copy hosted by RESPECT), General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs (full text) (2019)