IOM, H&M Group Join Forces to Protect Migrant Workers | H&M Joins Tent to Hire Refugees

Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant who used a small business loan to build Chobani into a best-selling yogurt brand in the U.S., is the founder of Tent.

H&M Group announces that the mega retailer has joined Tent Partnership for Refugees, a global private sector network working to improve the lives and livelihoods of refugees.

Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant who used a small business loan to build Chobani into a best-selling yogurt brand in the U.S., is the founder of Tent. The billionaire has pledged much of his personal fortune to the Tent Partnership for Refugees, pushing and recruiting business leaders to give refugees consideration when hiring employees.

“Our partnership with Tent will further build our knowledge on how the private sector can work to support refugees. We have also entered a partnership with IOM (The International Organisation on Migration), which is essential for our work to ensure fair working conditions for migrant workers in our supply chain.”

In December, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) hosted the first ever Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. H&M Group were present to engage, learn and to show their commitment to support refugees. As part of their participation, H&M announced their intention to scale up their initiative in Turkey for a more sustainable integration of foreign workers, including refugees, into the textile sector. H&M announced their goal of doubling the number of suppliers involved (from 20 to 40) and reaching a modest goal of at least 2000 refugees with employment by 2025.

On joining IOM, H&M Head of Sustainability Anna Gedda said: ““The partnership with IOM is strengthening our work to ensure fair working conditions for migrant workers in our supply chain. By joining forces, we can more efficiently address the systemic challenges migrant workers face. We see a need to collectively advocate for improved legislation and cross-border regulations, and at the same time continue working on the ground, together with our business partners and other brands.”

Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability H&M Group

“The partnership with IOM is strengthening our work to ensure fair working conditions for migrant workers in our supply chain. By joining forces, we can more efficiently address the systemic challenges migrant workers face. We see a need to collectively advocate for improved legislation and cross-border regulations, and at the same time continue working on the ground, together with our business partners and other brands.” said Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability H&M Group.