Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), a world leader in the employment services industry, announced today that it has formed a strategic global alliance with Polaris Project to fight human trafficking and forced labor in the United States and Japan.
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"Manpower's commitment to ending human trafficking is a natural extension of our values - a genuine respect for people and the importance of work in their lives, and determination to keep the supply chain free of unacceptable practices," said David Arkless, Manpower's President of Corporate and Government Affairs. "We are committed to developing programming and policy connecting affected individuals to the dignity and independence of safe, sustainable work."
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, signed 24 September, Manpower Inc. and Polaris Project, one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the United States and Japan, will join forces to help survivors of forced labor recover and re-integrate into the community through greater access to sustainable, non-exploitative employment alternatives and training options. Both groups will also work together to raise awareness of human trafficking among businesses, governments and communities, and exchange knowledge and expertise to enhance effectiveness in the anti-trafficking fight.
Manpower, through local branch offices, will offer a range of assessment, training and job search assistance services to qualified candidates among trafficking survivors identified by Polaris Project. Both groups will collaborate on raising public awareness on the issues of human trafficking, and on the expansion of employment alternatives for survivors and persons at risk of exploitation.
Manpower Inc. is a leader in the global fight against human trafficking, and was the first company to sign the Athens Ethical Principles, which declare a "zero tolerance" policy for working with any entity, which benefits in any way, from human trafficking. The company's effort to engage more companies in support of the Principles has resulted in more than 12,000 organizations signing up directly, or through the commitment of their industry federations.
Manpower and Polaris will first create partnerships and programs in Washington, DC, Newark, NJ, Denver, CO, and Tokyo, Japan, where both entities operate. The cooperation will expand globally as Polaris develops additional affiliate and associate organizations.
"By joining the unique expertise, resources and networks of a leading non-profit organization like Polaris Project and a socially responsible expert in the world of work like Manpower, we can strengthen the anti-trafficking movement and help survivors access sustainable and non-exploitative employment alternatives," said Ambassador Mark Lagon, Executive Director of Polaris Project. "We'll offer more victims tangible means to reclaim their lives and basic dignity from the trauma of sex and labor trafficking."
About Polaris Project
Polaris Project is the leading organization in the United States combating all forms of human trafficking and serving both U.S. citizens and foreign national victims, including men, women, and children. Polaris Project's holistic strategy, taking what is learned from the work with survivors and using it to guide the creation of long-term solutions. Polaris Projects strives for systemic change by advocating for stronger federal and state laws, operating the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (1.888.3737.888), and providing services to help its clients and all victims of human trafficking. For more information, visit www.PolarisProject.org.
About Manpower Inc.
Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. With over 60 years of experience, the $22 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,100 offices in 82 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: linda.granrose@na.manpower.com
Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060221/CGTU012LOGOAP Archive:
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SOURCE: Manpower Inc.
CONTACT: Mark Jelfs of Manpower Inc., +1-414-906-6675,
mark.jelfs@manpower.com; or Andrea Austin of Polaris Project, +1-202-540-5239,
aaustin@polarisproject.org
Web Site: http://www.manpower.com/
http://www.polarisproject.org/
