Justice for wage theft

Migrant Forum in Asia

This project promotes access to justice for migrants who are the victims of wage theft. It seeks to hold businesses accountable—particularly those that have received bailouts or stimulus packages from governments—to ensure that they fulfill their legal obligations to protect the fundamental labor and human rights of migrant workers, including by paying them the wages they are owed. Migrant Forum in Asia calls on governments to establish a transitional justice mechanism for migrant workers who are collectively owed billions of dollars in wages and to challenge the economic actors who perpetuate systems of exploitation against migrants. 

Why is now the time to act?

“Millions of migrant workers are at risk of returning home without having been paid their earned wages and without their workplace grievances having been heard. In these conditions, migrant workers will be repatriated into debt bondage. By facilitating access to justice, migrants can obtain compensation for their grievances. This will increase their capacity to send remittances, supporting the economies of their countries of origin. Migrants will also spend some of their salaries in their countries of destination, promoting economic recovery.”