What we do
We are dedicated to uniting migrant workers, providing them with access to support systems, leadership development, mentorship, capacity building, and platforms to amplify their voices.
We focus on seven areas of support:
- Leadership development – Expand leadership development through full and partial scholarships for Migrant Worker–Survivor Leaders to access high-quality leadership courses at international universities.
- Thought leadership – Facilitate placements at global conferences and events, providing Migrant Worker–Survivor Leaders the platform and visibility.
- Organizational capacity building – Strengthen organizational capacity and strategic communications by investing in human resources and operational tools.
- Professional coaching – Provide tailored leadership assessments and coaching to support personal leadership growth through individualized assessments and targeted coaching sessions.
- Mentorship – Train leaders in facilitative leadership techniques, enhancing their ability to mentor and empower others.
- Multi-stakeholder engagement – Host large-scale gatherings to maximize opportunities for engagement, policy influence, and collaborative action among migrant workers.
- Creative healing – Promote cultural and creative activities to foster solidarity and strengthen connections among migrant worker communities.
Who we serve
Our Network unites 18,000+ migrant workers across 71 member organizations in 27 countries. 65% of members of the Network are women migrant workers. Our leadership spans 14 nations in the Global Majority, building a structure that is truly global in scale and deeply local in impact.
Where we operate
Following a hub-and-spoke model, our Network is represented by leadership in 14 countries across the Global Majority, including Nigeria, Nepal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana, South Africa, Kuwait, Philippines, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Uganda, Lebanon, and Bangladesh.
Our journey
2020
The Network is founded by former migrant worker Mahendra Pandey, in collaboration with Migrant Worker-Survivor Leaders from the Global Majority.
2024
In July 2024, the Network launched the inaugural Global Migrant Workers Forum, which brought together 150 participants from 43 countries, including 82 Migrant Worker–Survivor Leaders representing 45 organizations.
25 organizations were based in countries of destination, while 20 operated in countries of origin across the Global Majority. The event also welcomed more than 30 partners and stakeholders, including philanthropies, funders, networks, academic institutions, and human rights organizations.
Almost all sessions during the forum were facilitated by migrant worker leaders, with 100% of panels featuring more than one migrant worker representative. This forum was unique as the first global gathering designed and organized “by migrant workers for migrant workers,” with the theme “I Belong Here: This is a Hopeful Place.”
At the end of the forum, the Network elected 17 individuals to constitute a Leadership Team, and empowered them to develop a 5-year strategy that will guide its work.