New Working Group on Business Migration

The ability to move personnel across borders, as well as the impact of migration restrictions on business operations and competitiveness, are key concerns for global companies. Responding to member interest, USCIB is establishing a new Working Group on Global Business Migration, to develop and represent U.S. business views in key intergovernmental discussions on migration.

Labor migration has emerged as an important issue in international policy, especially since the establishment in 2007 of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to increase cooperation on migration policies. The GFMD includes 120 national governments and is chaired by Peter Sutherland, the UN’s special representative for migration (and chairman of BP and Goldman Sachs International).

Business involvement in the early GFMD meetings was limited, as was awareness of industry concerns among participating governments. To help address this, the GFMD organized a business roundtable in advance of its 2009 meeting.  At the roundtable, industry put forward a paper, “A Corporate Perspective on International Business Migration,” by Ellen Yost (Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy) and Lynn Shotwell (American Council on International Personnel).  A similar roundtable is planned in advance of the next GFMD meeting in November 2010.

Other intergovernmental organizations, including the ILO and the WTO, have also begun looking at issues related to business migration.  In addition, the OECD held a high-level forum on migration in Paris in 2009, and plans a conference on entrepreneurship and employment creation for immigrants in 2010.  The new working group will likely use the access provided by USCIB’s global network to engage directly in these discussions.

To join the new working group or for more information, contact Kate Whitelaw (kwhitelaw@uscib.org).

In Remembrance: Francis Blanchard

USCIB notes with sadness the passing in December of Francis Blanchard, director general of the International Labor Organization from 1973 to 1989, at age 93.  The ILO’s second-longest serving chief, Mr. Blanchard presided over the organization during an eventful period in history, which included U.S. withdrawal from the ILO between 1977 and 1980.  Under his stewardship, the ILO played an important role in  the rise of the Solidarity movement in Poland.   He will be remembered with appreciation and respect by all the employer delegates who worked with him.

USCIB Staff News

Changes are afoot in USCIB’s membership and business development staff.  Abby Shapiro has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President for Business Development, where she will spearhead our efforts to recruit new members and extend the integration of USCIB trade services for both members and non-members alike.  Meanwhile, Alison Hoiem has been promoted to the position of Manager, Member Services, where she will focus on facilitating member/staff consultation on policy priorities and nurturing dialogue with member contacts. Alison is also supporting outreach to prospective members, which has resulted in several new members in recent months.

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as the latest additions to USCIB’s diverse membership:

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

North American Used Vehicles Exporters Association

Silicones Environmental, Health and Safety Council of North America

Silver Nanotechnology Working Group

Tyco International

To learn more about how USCIB membership can benefit your organization, contact Alison Hoiem (212-703-5095 or ahoiem@uscib.org).

Staff Contact:   Abby Shapiro

Executive Director, USCIB Foundation
Tel: 212.703.5064

Abby Shapiro is responsible for evaluating and growing new products, services and programs that provide new revenue streams to USCIB, add value to membership and support USCIB’s mission and vision.
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