Towards a Justice-Oriented Human Rights Due Diligence Approach for Migrant Labor

This article reconceptualizes the structural injustices faced by migrant workers in transnational labor systems characterized by fragmented governance and exploitative recruitment practices. While frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights promote corporate human rights due diligence (HRDD), their practical implementation often falls short in addressing the systemic nature of exploitation. We argue for a conceptual shift from “global supply chains” to “Human Supply Networks” to capture the decentralized, relational dynamics of migrant labor sourcing that diffuse accountability and dissipate the force of risk-based HRDD. Drawing on Young’s Social Connection Model, we develop a relational responsibility framework that extends beyond liability to include complicity in structural injustice. We conclude by outlining five propositions for a justice-oriented HRDD approach that centers the lived experiences of migrant workers and promotes more meaningful corporate accountability in transnational labor governance.