IOM’s CREST Programme

The IOM Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking (CREST) is a regional partnership initiative working with private and public sector actors to realize their potential to uphold human and labour rights of migrant workers in business operations and supply chains.

The challenge

Globally, there are more than 40 million victims of modern slavery, found in almost all economic sectors and often hidden in plain sight. According to estimates by Walk Free Foundation, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and IOM, 24.9 million people were in forced labour.

What is Modern Day Slavery?

Modern slavery is the umbrella term, often used to describe various forms of exploitative and abusive practices. It includes a set of specific legal concepts, such as forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, slavery and slavery-like practices, and human trafficking.

Why are Migrant Workers more Vulnerable?

Almost one fourth of the victims of forced labour are international migrant workers, often exposed to unethical recruitment practices, such as excessive recruitment fees, document retention, social and cultural isolation, restrictions to freedom of movement, absence of legal protection and others.

About CREST

Almost one fourth of the victims of forced labour are international migrant workers, often exposed to unethical recruitment practices, such as excessive recruitment fees, document retention, social and cultural isolation, restrictions to freedom of movement, absence of legal protection and others.

What we do

Together with cross-sectoral partners, IOM CREST is building a stronger commitment from businesses and creating smart partnerships with and among the private sector to maximize the impact of collective action in eliminating modern slavery, particularly in relation to migrant workers.

More about CREST’s Operational Framework

Our Support

CREST is supported by of the Regional Development Cooperation Section of the Embassy of Sweden in Thailand.

IOM CREST is developed and implemented in alignment with the Strategy for Sweden’s Regional Development Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific Region 2016–2021.

Want more Information?

Visit CREST website for more details.

For information on CREST activities in Viet Nam, please contact:
Ms. Huong Nguyen
Senior Project Assistant, IOM Viet Nam
Email: thuongnguyen@iom.int or IOM_CREST@iom.int