Project 8d
Model Code of Conduct for Recruitment Agencies

Summary
Short term contract migration from South Asian countries began soon after the oil price hike of the early 1970s. Initially, recruitment of workers was managed by state agencies; over time, however, private agencies began to play an active role in securing demands, negotiating with employers, recruiting workers and processing their documents. The rise of strong economies in South-east Asian countries led to increased demand for migrant labour, contributing to the further growth of recruiting agencies.

The agencies have been playing a crucial role in exploring the market and securing overseas employment; it is also true that the recruitment sector is beset with many problems that contribute to hardship, misery and harassment of migrants and potential migrants. In some countries the industry began wielding substantial power. Lack of accountability of the sector has led to demands for developing an effective code of conduct for the agencies. It is in this context that this study is proposed.

Key Research Questions

	Examine the backdrop of the development of the recruitment industry in the five south Asian countries;
	Identify the problems that exist in the labour recruitment sector for overseas employment;
	Assess the existing regulatory frameworks that guide the recruitment industry in these countries;
	Analyse the self regulatory mechanisms of the recruitment industry in these countries and identify best practices in the region and in countries such as the Philippines