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Empowering migrant workers to organise and defend their rights in global supply chains

Empowering migrant workers to organise and defend their rights in global supply chains
Empowering migrant workers to organise and defend their rights in global supply chains

In today’s interconnected economy, the goods that travel across borders often depend on the labour of those who themselves are migrant workers. From factory floors producing electronics to the seafood processing plants supplying global supermarkets, migrant workers sustain industries yet frequently remain invisible within them. Their vulnerability to exploitation poses both an ethical challenge and a test for sustainable trade systems worldwide.


The Labour Rights Foundation (LRF), a worker-led organisation, has emerged as a vital force in addressing this imbalance. Based in Southeast Asia, LRF seeks to empower migrants to act collectively, negotiate with employers and engage with state institutions. By shifting power into the hands of workers themselves, the foundation is not only addressing immediate grievances but also laying the groundwork for more transparent and responsible global supply chains.


Organising from within the workforce

A central principle of LRF’s approach is that those most affected by labour rights violations must lead the response. Rather than speaking on behalf of migrant workers, the organisation focuses on enabling them to organise unions, access paralegal support and understand their rights. Training programmes familiarise workers with labour laws and workplace protections, ensuring they are better equipped to assert their interests.


This strategy saw a notable breakthrough in March 2024, when the Migrant Workers’ Solidarity Community (MWSC), supported by LRF, became part of the Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation (TLSC). For the first time, migrant voices gained formal representation in a national trade union platform, marking a symbolic and practical step towards inclusivity in the country’s labour movement.


Empowering migrant workers: Labour Rights Foundation's impactful work

Scrutinising supply chains and corporate responsibility

LRF has also directed much of its energy towards industries tied to global supply chains. The seafood and electronics sectors, both major export earners, have long drawn criticism for exploitative practices including excessive overtime, withheld wages and barriers to freedom of association. By documenting and publicising these issues, the organisation pressures multinational brands to monitor their suppliers and take responsibility for workplace conditions.


With migrant labour making up more than 10 per cent of the national workforce, according to official statistics, ensuring fair treatment is not only a human rights concern but also an economic necessity. For international buyers, compliance with ethical sourcing standards is increasingly decisive in trade relationships. In this context, protecting workers becomes part of safeguarding market access.


Raising awareness and reshaping perceptions

Beyond its work with unions and supply chains, LRF invests in awareness campaigns that target broader society. Migrant workers are often portrayed as temporary outsiders, yet in reality they form a cornerstone of industrial and agricultural development. By challenging these perceptions, the foundation aims to foster recognition of their long-term contribution and rights.


These initiatives align with global goals promoting decent work for all, reflecting the interconnectedness of sustainable development and fair trade. As consumer demand for transparency grows, the role of grassroots organisations becomes crucial in bridging the gap between ethical aspirations and everyday realities on the ground.


Towards sustainable futures

The challenges facing migrant workers remain significant, but the efforts of organisations like LRF illustrate how solidarity and collective action can bring about structural change. By building worker-led networks and engaging with national and international stakeholders, they demonstrate that protecting rights and advancing economic growth need not be contradictory goals.


As scrutiny of supply chains intensifies, the treatment of migrant workers will remain a central test of sustainability for global commerce. For those seeking to understand or support such efforts, the Labour Rights Foundation’s work provides a practical example of how dignity, fairness and accountability can be woven into the fabric of international trade.


Further details on their initiatives can be found at Labour Rights Foundation, alongside resources tracking progress towards more just and transparent supply chains across the region.


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