Example in Action: Technology to Engage Migrant Workers

Photo Credit: Rodion Kutsaiev_Unsplash

Companies and civil society groups are increasingly turning to digital platforms as a tool to communicate with migrant workers. Some applications provide workers with peer-to-peer information-sharing and information regarding support services. Other common features include push notifications to workers on their rights and resources, worker surveys and feedback tools, and anonymous communication channels between workers and brands.
These applications provide companies with a method of communication with migrant workers in their supply chain but are not grievance mechanisms and therefore do not provide a means for dispute resolution. They are often extractive, meaning that they take feedback or information from workers without engaging in dialogue with workers or following up on issues workers may raise. These approaches have been widely criticized for displacing democratic worker representation or social dialogue with workers. Surveys and engagement platforms are not an example of worker voice in global supply chains.

Examples of platforms that engage migrant workers include:

LaborLink is a mobile platform from ELEVATE* that has reached more than 3 million workers in 20 countries. LaborLink integrates a phone-based Worker Sentiment Survey and allows a two-way communication channel between workers, employers, and community-based organizations.
Worker Connect is a communications platform from TechSoup.* It allows workers to anonymously share feedback with companies, provides workers with information on labor laws, and gives compliance professionals information to identify and address code of conduct risks and violations.
Ulula* offers a customizable platform that enables real-time communication with workers in more than 100 countries, deploys surveys and alerts, integrates training and resources, and includes an anonymous reporting tool to identify problems.
Global Labor Justice is leading a campaign to secure Wi-Fi for migrants working on distant water fishing vessels in Taiwan’s fleet. Migrant workers are at sea for up to a year, which can leave them isolated and unable to communicate not only with their families, but also with state officials, NGOs, and unions. Having Wi-Fi access can help workers to protect their fundamental rights by enabling them to communicate with each other, workers’ organizations, and government authorities as problems occur, not months later.
WOVO is a smartphone application from Labor Solutions* that began as a tool for factory and farm workers mainly in Southeast Asia, and now operates around the world, providing business solutions for building resilient supply chains by connecting, engaging, and educating workers. WOVO was recently featured in a case study of grievance mechanisms for businesses.
The Responsible Sourcing Tool contains Migrant Worker Interviews that can be used when conducting targeted migrant and foreign contract worker interviews. Companies can also use these sample interviews to shape their own worker interview questionnaires to improve the ability of auditors to identify possible cases of abuse or recruiter-induced human trafficking at company, supplier, and subcontractor facilities.