Consultancy – Assessing the vulnerability and profiles of Malagasy migrant workers and promoting safe migration measures

Objective of the consultancy: Undertake a review of Malagasy migrant workers’ profiles and identify effective ways of working in coordination and collaboration with in-country stakeholders to protect Malagasy workers migrating in the global supply chain in a COVID-19 landscape. The study will have a specific focus on migration to Mauritius and the Middle East (in various sectors).

Anti-Slavery International project to which the consultancy is contributing: Reducing modern slavery in supply chains in Mauritius through creating a platform for protection and remedy

1. Context

Founded in 1839, Anti-Slavery International is the oldest international human rights organisation in the world. Today, we draw on our experience to work to eliminate all forms of slavery and slavery like practices throughout the world. We are not interested in easy solutions. Instead, we deal with the root causes of slavery and its consequences to achieve sustainable change. We have projects in the UK and Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, but our campaigning work covers the whole world. Together with local organisations we work to secure the freedom of those affected by slavery and press for effective implementation of laws against slavery.

Anti-Slavery International is implementing a two-year programme^[1] under the UK Government’s Modern Slavery Innovation Fund (MSIF). Working with business, trade unions and civil society the programme is developing mechanisms that support and enhance the rights of migrant workers in Mauritius (destination). The programme also advocates for safer migration pathways to Mauritius, from Madagascar and Bangladesh (origin countries).

The MSIF programme aims to:

• Effectively remedy the grievances of migrant workers through strong industrial relations and a trade union-based mechanism at destination.
• Increase the awareness and engagement of relevant stakeholders (government and business) with regards to the protection of migrant workers’ rights at source and destination.
• Reduce the vulnerability of migrant workers to exploitation throughout the employment cycle, addressing ethical recruitment at origin and decent work practices at destination.

The programme is implementing the following activities to achieve the above objectives:

i) Setting up and managing a migrant resource centre (MRC) in Mauritius. Since June 2019, we have been building a MRC in Mauritius in collaboration with a local trade union, Confédération des Travailleurs des Secteurs Publique et Privé (CTSP). The MRC is currently operating with a focus on providing effective remedial solutions to migrant workers. The MRC supports migrant workers by 1) providing accurate information and advice to workers; 2) facilitating access to remedy to workers who report grievances against their employers; 3) providing a safe space for migrant workers to interact freely and openly with one another. The MRC aims to generate better relations between employers and trade unions. It also interacts with the national government, primarily the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment. The MRC is located within the CTSP premises, in Rose Hill, Mauritius.

ii) Developing and launching a tech mechanism (the app). The app serves as a tool to provide workers with accurate information on safe migration procedures, international workers’ rights and national labour laws. It offers additional information about how to contact an industrial relations expert via a hotline, in case of inquiry or need to submit a grievance. It is being launched in November 2020.

iii) Developing and delivering ^[2]bespoke pre-departure orientation training (PDOT) in Bangladesh and Madagascar for Mauritian bound migrant workers. The training provides workers with information on safe migration practices and procedures, their rights at work and cultural information about Mauritius. In Bangladesh, this component of the programme is being delivered in collaboration with local partner Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP). In Madagascar, this component is being delivered in collaboration with by Etudes Conseils FORMation Entrepreneuriat (ECFORME).

iv) Advocating for increased awareness and engagement from government and business stakeholders. In particular, the programme promotes and encourages relevant stakeholders to commit to the implementation of safe migration mechanisms developed under the programme in their supply chains or labour migration governing processes.

ECFORME is a Malagasy NGO established in February 2019, after transfer of competence from the Professional Training component of the CEFOR or CEFOR FP association that started in 2001. ECFORME has inherited all the expertise and training capital of CEFOR FP accumulated during its 18 years of existence.

ECFORME delivers skills building services and access to employment, to the poorest populations in Antananarivo and throughout Madagascar, for the purposes of improving their living conditions. ECFORME’s mission is to promote a sustainable offer of quality local services to public and private structures, NGOs and CSOs wishing to set up local initiatives or develop their current activities. Their vision is to transform local initiatives into operational actions for sustainable local economic development, with tangible social benefits. To achieve this vision, ECFORME works towards two main objectives:

• Promote the meaning and value of vocational training among vulnerable populations – young people, women, people with disabilities, all people threatened with the integrity of their human and citizen rights, who are their main targets, but they also target the public and the authorities, in order to place vocational training as one of the main levers of the economy in Madagascar.
• Enable vulnerable populations to undertake and carry out development projects aimed at the significant and lasting improvement of their living conditions.

2. Needs and objectives of the study

Aim

i) to gain a deeper understanding of migrant workers’ profiles, including how COVID-19 has impacted the migratory landscape, migration opportunities and heightened risks of exploitation for returning and prospective migrant workers.

ii) to outline effective ways of working in coordination and collaboration with the relevant in-country stakeholders to protect Malagasy workers migrating in the global supply chain in a COVID-19 landscape, with a specific focus on migration to Mauritius and the Middle East (in various sectors).

To achieve the above, the study has four key objectives:

• To deepen an understanding of the cross-border migration corridors, cross-border migrant worker profiles, and the impact of COVID-19 on both.
• To identify the drivers of vulnerability for cross-border Malagasy migrant workers and emerging/heightened vulnerabilities as a result of COVID-19.
• To provide an overview of the status of relevant international frameworks/legislation/conventions and national policies/legislation, including an analysis of existing gaps in implementation and existing gaps in protection for migrant workers.
• To make recommendations for improved policy, practice, and national coordination, including how collaboration between and with the Government of Madagascar, non-governmental organisations, and recruitment agencies can improve protection mechanisms for Malagasy migrant workers in global supply chains.

Output

The evidence-based study will be a tool that can be used to effectively outline the issues and risks facing Malagasy migrant workers. The study aims to be an effective tool capable of influencing the Malagasy government to improve labour migration governance and other protective mechanisms that protect migrant workers from exploitative practices in the global supply chain. Secondly, it will inform Anti-Slavery and ECFORME with best practice approaches to engaging and working with and between the government, non-governmental organisations, international and local NGOS, and other stakeholders to strengthen an anti-slavery movement in Madagascar in the future.

3. Scope

We are inviting applications from suitable consultant/s (individual or a team of consultants) interested to apply for the below-mentioned assignment. The selected consultant/s will work closely with ECFORME, the Anti-Slavery International project team and a Working Group to achieve the wider aim.

The successful consultant/s will draw on their professional expertise, desk-based research, project learning to date, national government consultation (including the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Population, Social Protection and Advancement of Women, BNLTEH), international agency consultation (ILO, IOM), and consultation with other key stakeholders in Madagascar, as well as consultation with migrant workers. The assignment will run from November 2020 – February 2021.

More specific to the task, the consultant will:

• Agree the ToR, research methodology including agreeing a set report structure and work plan. Ethical considerations will be taken throughout.
• Review and / or collect available desk-based information and already sourced primary data from Malagasy workers as per the agreed work plan and methodology.
• Conduct interviews as per the agreed methodology including ethical considerations, as agreed with the relevant project partners and as per the ToR. This may include gathering anonymous case studies.
• Analyse collected data and present the data to the Working Group.
• Draft a report (as per the aims and objectives), providing and presenting practical and clear recommendations.

Anti-Slavery International and ECFORME will manage the consultant/s and the study (a mix of research and scoping) accordingly. Anti-Slavery and ECFORME will contribute, review, and provide feedback at all stages of the assignment. Anti-Slavery works with editors to ensure ‘brand’ consistency. The role of the editor on this study is to be determined.

4. Timeframe

It is anticipated the consultancy will take no longer than 35 days over a 4-month period. There may be flexibility, dependent on the approach that is agreed. Below is a tentative timeframe.

5. Who we are looking for

We wish to hear from candidates who have experience and expertise in developing models of working / programming with CSO’s and governmental bodies with knowledge of Migrant Worker Protection and Labour Rights, migration and where feasible, a strong awareness of labour laws in Madagascar and with proven capacity to explore:

• Migrant workers’ rights in global supply chains.
• How relevant stakeholders including the government and non-government stakeholders can improve/implement safer migration mechanisms, processes, and legislation.
• Responsible recruitment in global supply chains.
• Strategies and avenues for developing, implementing, and advocating for safe migration in global supply chains with government and relevant stakeholders.
• Best practice models to advance safe migration operations for migrant workers in global supply chains.
• Solutions to improving safe migration for migrant workers at source.
• What is required beyond providing information on worker rights, to actively protect workers from exploitation.
• Facilitating migrant worker voices and wider stakeholders within policy making and influencing safe migration.

[1] 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2021

[2] Dependent on migration flows that are currently restricted due to COVID-19. If restrictions continue delivery of PDO training may not take place at source during the lifetime of the project