Promoting Internationally Recognized Labor Rights in Malaysia, Nigeria

Deadline: 24 October 2016

The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is calling organizations interested in submitting Statements of Interest (SOI) for programs that support the policy objective to promote internationally recognized labor rights in Malaysia, Nigeria, and Vietnam.

Proposal Priorities and Funding Information

In Malaysia ($500,000 available), DRL seeks to strengthen the capacity of workers to exercise their rights, including promoting the rights and inclusion of migrant workers. Proposed projects should work to engage with the Government of Malaysia to develop new or improve upon existing model contracts for migrant workers.
- Proposals should also ensure that contracts strengthened under the project should, at a minimum, align with internationally recognized labor rights.
- Proposals should seek to engage relevant stakeholders in Malaysia as well as in sending countries, including recruiters and qualified civil society organizations, which may include migrant worker associations. Civil society should have an active role in monitoring the utilization and enforcement of the new model contracts.
In Nigeria (up to $600,000 available), DRL seeks to promote adherence to internationally recognized labor rights, particularly freedom of association and collective bargaining, and strengthen the ability of workers and workers’ organizations to advocate against corruption and promote transparency both in the workplace and in policies and programs related to worker interests.
- Project activities should build the capacity of workers and worker associations to recognize and advocate for their labor rights, particularly freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- Activities should also strengthen the ability of workers and worker organizations to monitor compliance with regulations regarding wages and work safety and promote transparency and accountability on the part of business and government.
- Project activities may strengthen and expand workers’ and worker organizations’ collaboration with other civil society organizations working to promote transparency and fight corruption
In Vietnam ($550,000 available), DRL seeks to promote internationally recognized labor rights with a particular focus on freedom of association.
- Project proposals should seek to organize, support and build the capacity of workers to understand and exercise their labor rights with a particular focus on workers in professional and technical occupational associations representing journalists, academics, educators, students, writers, science and engineering professionals and/or health services professionals. Proposals should leverage existing professional networks, associations and self-organizing groups and link them with labor stakeholders in order to gain support from these groups around worker rights issues that have legislative and advocacy impacts.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a U.S.-based or foreign-based non-profit organization/non-governmental organization (NGO), or a public international organization; or
Be a private, public, or state institutions of higher education; or
Be a for-profit organization or business, although there are restrictions on payment of fees and/or profits under grants and cooperative agreements, including those outlined in 48 CFR 30 (“Cost Accounting Standards Administration”), 48 CFR 31 (“Contract Cost Principles and Procedures”); and
Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders including private sector partner and NGOs;
Have demonstrable experience administering successful and preferably similar programs.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO. Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined application. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.