Manpower to complement UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking initiatives via “zero tolerance” policy
Third largest illegal industry in the world claims 12.3 million victims at any given time
Global employment services provider Manpower has pledged its full support for the activities and programs of the UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT), the federal body tasked to coordinate anti-human trafficking initiatives in the seven emirates.
Manpower was the first corporate signatory of the Athens Ethical Principles established under the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement’s “End Human Trafficking Now!” campaign. The Principles declare a “zero tolerance” policy for working with organizations, groups and individuals that benefit from human trafficking, including Manpower’s own clients, vendors and business partners. The company has since helped to encourage more than 12,000 other organizations to sign up for the Athens action plan.
“Manpower is committed to safeguarding the dignity of work and creating employment opportunities for all. Human trafficking is tantamount to slavery and is the third largest illegal industry in the world after arms and drug smuggling. This crime is unfortunately present in every country and territory we operate in, so we want to make a difference by collaborating with agencies such as the NCCHT. The UAE is making a bold step forward with this initiative and as a worldwide leader in ethical business and social responsibility, Manpower hopes to complement the work of the UAE government in its own operations,” said Patrick Luby, Managing Director, Manpower Middle East. .
Established in April 2007, The UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking includes representatives from the federal ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, the State Security Authority, and the UAE Red Crescent Society. It is currently headed by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash. The Committee recently launched its website, www.nccht.gov.ae, as an online platform to enhance awareness on human trafficking and report suspicious activities.
Manpower is actively involved in workforce development, disaster recovery, reaching refugees and combating human trafficking as part of its goal of making a long-term, significant difference in people's lives. The company was named to the FTSE4Good Index Series, a securities index created by the Financial Times Stock Exchange for companies that meet criteria in conducting socially responsible business practices globally, in 2008. In the same year, Manpower was also included by the Ethisphere Institute in its second annual list of the World's Most Ethical Companies.
The employment services group is a Supporting Partner of the ninemillion.org campaign created in 2006 by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in collaboration with Nike and Microsoft. The mission of the campaign is to provide more than nine million children with better access to education, sport and technology by 2010. Manpower recently implemented a new global procurement procedure which ensures that vendors adhere to the company’s strict guidelines to eliminate forced labor, human trafficking, and corrupt business practices.
Manpower Middle East relies on 14 years of regional experience and expertise to provide customized recruitment, employee assessment and training, outsourcing, and consulting services to its clients. The company implements and overseas the group’s social advocacies across the Arab region. Manpower’s work with Qatar-based Silatech, a social enterprise aimed at increasing the opportunities for work among Arab youth, and its joint global initiative in April this year with the Education for Employment (EFE) Foundation, are both examples of Manpower’s commitment to responsible, meaningful business practices in the Middle East.
