Deep Dive
Invisible Compensation, Responsible Sponsorship: Advancing fair employer responsibility for migrant workers
ORGANIZED BY
Fair Labor Association, Domus 8.7
16-Sep
11:00-11:45
Conference Room 3
While many labor standards focus on wages and working conditions, migrant workers continue to experience systemic inequalities because employers exercise responsibilities – and often significant control – over aspects of workers' lives beyond the workplace. These responsibilities include both the provision of essential in-kind benefits (housing, food, transportation, healthcare, communication) and the obligations created by employer-sponsored migration systems. Together, these shape workers' well-being, mobility, and ability to exercise their rights.

Topic in Focus
What can be done to address unequal in-kind benefits, responsible sponsorship, and worker protection in Asian industrial hubs, hospitals, and healthcare?
Overview
While many labor standards focus on wages and working conditions, migrant workers continue to experience systemic inequalities because employers exercise responsibilities—and often significant control—over aspects of workers' lives beyond the workplace. These responsibilities include both the provision of essential in-kind benefits (housing, food, transportation, healthcare, communication) and the obligations created by employer-sponsored migration systems. Together, these shape workers' well-being, mobility, and ability to exercise their rights.
Why it matters
Treatment and compensation of migrant workers informs forced labor regulatory compliance.
Who should attend?
Business, Government, Workers/rightsholders/communities, CSOs
What participants will gain
A reframed understanding of employer responsibility in sponsored labor settings, moving from “procedural compliance” to “practical usability” for workers.
A concise set of design principles for sponsorship and employment practices that reduce fear and improve safe access to remedy for migrant workers.
Practical recommendations for integrating in-kind benefits into HRDD and living wage implementation.
Greater awareness of how unequal benefit systems create labor rights risks and undermine resilience.
Cross-sector dialogue on governance and accountability approaches.

Gita Nauli
Senior Regional Manager, South East Asia, Fair Labor Association

Moe Turaga
Lived Experience Advisor, DOMOS 8,7

Tiffany Rogers
Vice President, Fair Labor Association


