Guna Subramaniam
Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Expertise
Guna has extensive experience spanning almost 20 years in the nonprofit sector. This includes building partnerships with multiple stakeholders in business and human rights, managing investigations in wildlife trafficking, and technical expertise in the performing arts.
Current work
As Southeast Asia Advisor, Guna coordinates the regional Migrant Workers and Shipping
Before IHRB
Guna has a varied background. He was an audio engineer directing sound design for film, music and theatre. As a filmmaker, he produced videos for development and environmental organizations. Managing projects on wildlife conservation, he coordinated investigations on wildlife trafficking with NGOs and law enforcement agencies across the Asia Pacific and Central Africa. In Australia, he led capacity development work with asylum seekers and refugees, and a project to gather service providers for community based and civil society led humanitarian resettlement programs.
Prior to joining IHRB, Guna was at Issara Institute where he conducted research on forced labour and human trafficking in fishing vessels. He also led its Ethical Recruitment pilot programme, facilitating collaborative meetings between recruitment agencies and supply chain businesses in the apparel, seafood and agriculture sectors.
Guna has a Masters in International Community Development from Victoria University. He received an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award for his research thesis which focused on gaps and blindspots of stakeholders involved in addressing human trafficking and forced labour in the fisheries sector.
Combating forced labor remains a key challenge throughout the world, and regardless of where it occurs in the global supply chain, Walmart is committed to working with industry groups, governments, NGOs and suppliers to help eliminate forced labor. Walmart is proud to become a core member of the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, so we can work with others passionate about this important issue in order to create solutions.
20 January 2022
21 February 2019
21 February 2019
21 February 2019
There are currently no Reports by Guna Subramaniam
There are currently no Meeting Reports by Guna Subramaniam
There are currently no Submissions by Guna Subramaniam
21 February 2019
21 February 2019
21 February 2019
Commentary: Why Fighting Discrimination is at the Heart of the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity
Throughout 2022, IHRB will be marking ten years of the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity with guest commentaries from representatives of business, trade unions, civil society organisations, and the UN system that reflect on the continuing...
17 January 2022
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Thai Government Proposals To Restrict Civil Society Demand A Response – Including From Business
Over the past few years, more than 60 countries including India, Kenya, and Egypt among others, have enacted laws restricting freedom of assembly and civil society access to funding. Laws limiting or suppressing civil society’s operating space in...
29 June 2021
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Development Denied – Recruitment Fees Eroding Migrant Worker Remittances (Pt 5)
COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
As part of our continuing focus on the links between COVID-19 and the business and human rights agenda, IHRB is exploring the impact of the pandemic on migrant workers across Asia and the roles and responsibilities of...
05 August 2020
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Losing More Than Their Health – COVID-19 and Migrant Worker Wage Theft (Pt 4)
COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
As part of our continuing focus on the links between COVID-19 and the business and human rights agenda, IHRB is exploring the impact of the pandemic on migrant workers across Asia and the roles and responsibilities of...
31 July 2020
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Pandemic Prejudice – COVID-19 and Discriminatory Attitudes Towards Migrant Workers (Pt 3)
COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
As part of our continuing focus on the links between COVID-19 and the business and human rights agenda, IHRB is exploring the impact of the pandemic on migrant workers across Asia and the roles and responsibilities of...
29 July 2020
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Accommodating the Spread – Migrant Worker Accommodation Driving COVID Infections (Pt 2)
COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
As part of our continuing focus on the links between COVID-19 and the business and human rights agenda, IHRB is exploring the impact of the pandemic on migrant workers across Asia and the roles and responsibilities of...
23 July 2020
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: The Compounding Impacts of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers Across Asia (Pt 1)
COVID-19 and Migrant Workers
As part of our continuing focus on the links between COVID-19 and the business and human rights agenda, IHRB is exploring the impact of the pandemic on migrant workers across Asia and the roles and responsibilities of...
22 July 2020
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB
Commentary: Migrant Worker Updates from the Gulf and South East Asia
IHRB's Migrant Workers Programme staff members provide updates from Qatar, Thailand and Myanmar on sector-wide progress. For more information on the work and upcoming events of IHRB and the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, visit our...
14 March 2019
There are currently no Videos by Guna Subramaniam
There are currently no Speeches by Guna Subramaniam
There are currently no Submissions by Guna Subramaniam
Commentary: We need new strategies to redesign agriculture and food systems for people and planet
The role of business is crucial in shaping truly regenerative food systems that are better for human rights and a decarbonised future. This includes prioritising the agency of farmers, workers, and farm communities in the design of regenerative...
10 March 2023
By Guna Subramaniam, Asia Regional Manager, Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB, Haley St. Dennis, Head of Just Transitions, IHRB