Jon Purizhansky is a thought leader within the industry of Global Labor Migration. He is also the founder of Joblio Inc (www.Joblio.Co ) , a technology powered social impact company that brings transparency, compliance and human rights in the world of global movement of people
Global labor migration has become a common practice in today’s world as individuals seek better job opportunities and higher wages in foreign countries. However, according to Jon Purizhansky, behind the veneer of international employment lies a darker reality – the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. The mistreatment of migrant workers ranges from underpayment, discrimination, and forced labor to human trafficking and enslavement. This article will explore the abuse that happens within the industry of global labor migrations.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are approximately 164 million migrant workers worldwide, accounting for 4.7% of the global workforce. Jon Purizhansky points out that the majority of these workers come from developing countries and seek employment in developed countries, where they face a range of exploitation and abuse. The industries that attract migrant workers are primarily in construction, domestic work, agriculture, and manufacturing.
One of the most common forms of abuse experienced by migrant workers is underpayment. Migrant workers are often paid wages that are lower than the legal minimum wage, which can lead to debt bondage and the inability to escape their employment. A report by the Fair Labor Association found that 35% of workers in the global supply chains of apparel and footwear were paid less than the legal minimum wage.
Another form of abuse is discrimination. Migrant workers often face discrimination based on their race, nationality, or gender, which can lead to exclusion from labor protections and services. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) found that migrant workers often face discrimination in accessing health care, education, and housing.
Forced labor is also a significant problem within the industry of global labor migrations. The Global Slavery Index estimates that there are approximately 40.3 million people living in modern slavery worldwide, with many of them being migrant workers. Forced labor can take many forms, including debt bondage, where workers are forced to work to pay off a debt, and human trafficking, where workers are forced into labor through coercion or deception.
The mistreatment of migrant workers is not limited to developing countries. In the United States, for example, migrant workers have been subjected to a range of abuses, including wage theft, human trafficking, and sexual harassment. A report by the National Employment Law Project found that two-thirds of low-wage workers experienced wage theft, with migrant workers being particularly vulnerable.
Jon Purizhansky points out that most vulnerable populations of migrant workers are populations that do not have formal college degrees. Often originating from remote areas of the developing countries, prospective migrants are often trusting and naive and, therefore, they often fall victims to unscrupulous agents who sell them grossly misrepresented or even non-existent employment opportunities in the developed world. Removal of these middlemen/agents from the ecosystem is essential to fixing the issues within the global Labor migration industry. Jon Purizhansky accents that this is exactly what Joblio does – it connects employment applicants directly with their prospective employers in circumvention of the middlemen and gets rid of the fees that the workers pay. Smart phone technology allows Joblio to accomplish this objective. Applicants can now apply for employment directly through various Joblio apps or through join.joblio.co
In conclusion, the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers within the industry of global labor migrations is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. Jon Purizhansky stresses that governments and international organizations must take action to protect the rights of migrant workers and to hold employers accountable for their mistreatment. In addition, consumers can play a role in ending the exploitation of migrant workers by supporting companies that have fair labor practices and by demanding transparency in the global supply chain.
Data sources:
International Labour Organization (ILO) (2021). ILO Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/publications/WCMS_652001/lang–en/index.htm
Fair Labor Association (2018). Fair Compensation in Global Supply Chains: A Practical Guide for Brands and Suppliers. Retrieved from https://www.fairlabor.org/sites/default/files/documents/research-and-insights/FLA_Fair_Compensation_Guide_2018.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (2021). International Protection Considerations for Iraqi Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/52b0d7b14.pdf
Global Slavery Index (2021). The Global Slavery Index 2021. Retrieved from https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/
National Employment Law Project (2014). Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers: Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in America’s Cities.
Originally Posted: https://vocal.media/journal/how-to-mitigate-abuse-within-global-migration-industry
