Contact between IH&RA and IOM was first initiated around the joint IH&RA-ILO Temporary Worker Mobility project prompted by the need to assist hospitality workers deprived of employment due to crisis situations such as natural disasters or political upheaval. IOM agreed from the beginning to join the project which fits naturally into its own Labour Migration remit.

As part of the on-going cooperation with IOM, IH&RA participated in the recent IOM Workshop in Manila on Fostering Collaboration among Employment Agencies in Asia and Europe (6-8 February) where issues of temporary and permanent labour migration were discussed. As an offshoot of this event, IOM is seeking IH&RA cooperation in a pilot project to place a small number of skilled Asian workers in selected European destinations.

Collection and dissemination of information on skills shortages in the Hotel & Restaurant industry across the globe will be facilitated via the Colombo Process website - with plans for a Hospitality industry section facilitated by IH&RA in close cooperation with IOM. This will be an invaluable tool for identifying skills shortages and availability.