News
IOM, VF Corporation expand collaboration to promote migrants’ inclusion
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and VF Corporation are embarking on their inaugural long-term global partnership after five years of joint efforts that have benefited over 7,000 migrant workers in VF Corporation’s supply chain.
This strategic partnership aims to collectively advance the rights and welfare of migrants and vulnerable groups working within VF Corporation’s supply chains.
“This new three-year alliance capitalizes on the strengths and expertise of both entities, striving to ensure the respect for human and labour rights of migrants, and their access to regular labour migration pathways,” said Elizabeth Warn, the Global Head of Labour Mobility at IOM. “Such efforts seek to realize the transformative potential of migration as a potent force for sustainable development.”
In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and fundamental human and labour rights treaties, IOM, led by its country office in Thailand, will collaborate with VF Corporation to fortify ethical recruitment practices, advocate for decent work, and facilitate access to effective remedies for migrant workers.
“At VF, we are committed to supporting migrant workers throughout our supply chain and have expanded our scope to understand the migrant worker journey outside of the factory walls,” said Maria Lassen, Senior Manager of Global Worker Rights at VF Corporation. “We have benefited greatly from working with the IOM and know that expanding our partnership to be more strategic will help advance this work and ultimately benefit workers in our supply chain across the globe.”
At its core, this initiative is grounded in the shared commitment of IOM and VF Corporation to enhance the lives of migrants, particularly the most vulnerable among them. Leveraging their global presence, efforts to mitigate human rights risks and foster ethical supply chains will extend worldwide, with close cooperation among suppliers, recruiters, civil society, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
IOM and VF Corporation first began working together in 2019, initially working to enhance and strengthen VF’s internal commitments and policies in support of migrant worker rights. IOM later supported VF’s Your Voice Matters pilot, lending their expertise to advise on the program creation and execution. Their work together ultimately resulted in the creation of VF Corporation’s Roadmap for Responsible Recruitment and benefitted over 7,000 migrant workers. This expanded strategic partnership will be global in scope and hopes to continuously enhance the working and living conditions of migrant workers employed within VF Corporation’s supply chain.
“Migrant workers make VF products every day. We must continue to ensure they are treated with dignity, especially with regard to their living and working conditions. VF knows this work is best achieved in partnership and is confident that working with IOM, our program – and thus the lives of the workers – will be improved,” said Ms Lassen.
“Building on the success of our collaboration in Thailand, we are thrilled to expand our partnership with VF Corporation on a global scale,” said Geraldine Ansart, IOM Chief of Mission in Thailand.
“By integrating migrant workers into ethical supply chains in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Migration, we create a framework for inclusive growth and social justice. Ensuring their rights and well-being not only enhances economic prosperity but also strengthens our collective commitment to human dignity.”
Le projet de budget de l’État norvégien pour 2027 ne prévoit pas d’affecter 1 % du revenu national brut du pays à l’aide internationale, malgré la hausse des recettes et des besoins humanitaires sans précédent, a déclaré le Conseil norvégien pour les réfugiés (NRC).
Le secrétaire général du NRC, Jan Egeland, a qualifié cette proposition de « surprenante et décevante », avertissant qu’elle envoie un mauvais signal alors que d’autres grands donateurs réduisent leur aide.
Selon M. Egeland, les réductions des financements humanitaires à l’échelle mondiale privent des millions de personnes déplacées par les conflits d’un abri adéquat, tandis que l’aide alimentaire et l’accès à l’éducation sont réduits.
La Norvège a maintenu ses contributions à l’aide au cours des deux dernières années, alors que d’autres grands donateurs annonçaient des coupes, a-t-il indiqué. Compte tenu de la richesse croissante du pays et de sa tradition humanitaire, la Norvège devrait continuer à soutenir les personnes dans le besoin, a ajouté M. Egeland.
Le NRC a appelé le Parlement norvégien à réviser le budget afin de porter les dépenses d’aide à 1 % du revenu national brut et de donner la priorité à l’aide d’urgence.
The Norwegian government’s proposed 2027 state budget does not allocate 1% of the country’s gross national income to international aid, despite rising revenues and record humanitarian needs, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said.
NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland called the proposal “surprising and disappointing,” warning that it sends the wrong signal as other major donors cut aid.
Egeland said global reductions in humanitarian funding were leaving millions of people displaced by conflict without adequate shelter, while food assistance and access to education were being reduced.
Norway had maintained its aid contributions over the past two years as other major donors announced cuts, he said. Given the country’s growing wealth and humanitarian tradition, Norway should continue supporting people in need, Egeland added.
The NRC urged Norway’s parliament to revise the budget to bring aid spending up to 1% of gross national income and prioritise emergency assistance.
Italian authorities have detained the search-and-rescue vessel *Sea Punk I* for 15 days and imposed a €7,500 fine following the rescue of 20 people in international waters.
The rescue took place on Thursday, 10 September 2026, near the Bouri oil platform. The vessel’s crew said the operation was conducted in coordination with Italian authorities and in line with applicable conventions and international regulations.
Authorities cited the so-called Piantedosi Decree and accused the captain of failing to follow instructions from the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. The *Sea Punk I* is an alliance partner of the Justice Fleet, a coalition of civil search-and-rescue organisations and supporters.
The Justice Fleet said the detention brings the total number of days its vessels have been blocked by Italian authorities to more than 310 since the alliance was founded in November 2025. The *Sea Punk I* is the 11th Justice Fleet vessel to be detained.
Civil search-and-rescue organisations have documented almost 80 incidents of extreme violence by Libyan militias since 2016, most attributed to the so-called Libyan Coast Guard, according to the Justice Fleet. The group also says more than 27,000 people fleeing Libya were forcibly returned there last year, in violation of international law. It said refugees and migrants in the country face rising violence and death threats.
“While extreme violence against people on the move is currently unfolding in Libya, the Italian authorities want to force us to cooperate with the so-called Libyan Coast Guard. Not with us!” said Justice Fleet spokesperson Giulia Messmer, calling for an end to European cooperation with the force.
The Justice Fleet was founded in November 2025 by 13 search-and-rescue organisations, with support from civil society groups. It says its aims include challenging the detention of rescue vessels in Italy and opposing the outsourcing of migration control to Libyan actors.
Le budget d’aide proposé par la Norvège n’atteint pas l’objectif de 1 %, selon le NRC
Norway’s proposed aid budget falls short of 1% target, NRC says
Global powers fuel war as civilians die under drones, barrel bombs
Les autorités italiennes immobilisent un navire de sauvetage après avoir secouru 20 personnes
Italian authorities detain rescue vessel after saving 20 lives
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