Today, during the annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, Migrant-Rights.org was named as recipient of the 2024 Human Rights and Business Award. The award recognizes “outstanding work by human rights defenders addressing the human rights impacts of business”.

Migrant-Rights.org, founded in 2007, works to stop exploitation of migrant workers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Migrant workers comprise nearly half the population in the GCC region, and nearly 90% of the workforce in some GCC countries. They are employed in every sector; the majority are low-income migrants employed in construction, agriculture, and domestic work.

In late 2023 Migrant-Rights.org published their updated “Know Your Rights” booklets for migrant workers in the GCC, which break down the key rights and entitlements for migrant workers under the laws of all six GCC countries. Where possible, Migrant-Rights.org supports workers with labor-related complaints, often working with other local actors in this endeavor. The organization has shared its toolkits on exploitative practices in the labor supply chain with contractors and companies for use in monitoring their practices.

Migrant-Rights.org’s briefings on various issues, including trade agreements, subcontracting practices, and responsible investment, are examples of how the organization influences broader strategies toward improved business conduct. Their direct engagement has secured concrete pledges from companies and governments with a large business presence in the region. Migrant-Rights.org has also worked extensively with international organizations to put under-the-radar issues on their agenda and to inform a number of initiatives.