Publications

Recruitment of Pakistani Workers for Overseas Employment: Mechanisms, Exploitation and Vulnerabilities

01 July 2009

This study in Pakistan was commissioned against the backdrop of growing concern globally about the particular vulnerability of both regular and irregular migrant workers to exploitation, trafficking and forced labour. It was undertaken to inform dialogue between Asian sender and Middle Eastern destination countries, at a Gulf Forum on Temporary Contractual Labour held in Abu Dhabi in early 2008, along with a sister study addressing similar questions in Bangladesh.

Unravelling the vicious cycle of recruitment

29 May 2009

This study in Bangladesh was commissioned against the backdrop of growing concern globally about the particular vulnerability of both regular and irregular migrant workers to exploitation, trafficking and forced labour. It was undertaken to inform dialogue between Asian sender and Middle Eastern destination countries, at a Gulf Forum on Temporary Contractual Labour, held in Abu Dhabi in early 2008, along with a sister study addressing similar questions in Pakistan. While provisional findings were first presented at that time, we are now pleased to publish the full findings of the research, following the launch of the ILO’s third global report on forced labour, entitled “The cost of coercion” on 12 May 2009.

Measuring the Costs of Coercion to Workers in Forced Labour

22 May 2009

What are, in addition to the human suffering, the financial costs of coercion to people who work in forced labour? In other words, how much money is “stolen” from people in forced labour?

Questions and answers on “The cost of coercion”, the 2009 ILO global report on forced labour

22 May 2009

The 2009 ILO global report on forced labour entitled “The cost of coercion” says that victims of forced labour lose an estimated USD 20 billion ever year in unpaid earnings. This and other findings provide a powerful economic argument for stepping up global action against forced labour.

Executive Summary of 2009 Global Report on Forced Labour "The cost of coercion"

22 May 2009

In presenting this report the ILO launched a challenge to the world community, to build and consolidate a global alliance, involving a range of partners, in order to eradicate forced labour at the earliest opportunity.

The cost of coercion

12 May 2009

Forced labour is the antithesis of decent work. The least protected persons, including women and youth, indigenous peoples, and migrant workers, are particularly vulnerable. Modern forced labour can be eradicated with a sustained commitment and resources.

Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: Casebook of Court Decisions

06 May 2009

This training manual for judges, prosecutors and legal practitioners

Operational indicators of trafficking in human beings

04 May 2009

Four sets of operational indicators of trafficking (adults and children for labour and sexual exploitation) resulting from a joint European Commission-ILO project. The Delphi methodology used to reach a consensus on these lists is presented in the brochure.

Combating trafficking in Persons - A Handbook for Parliamentarians

08 April 2009

Parliamentarians have an essential role to play in the fight against human trafficking. The present Handbook, published by the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), suggests some practical ways in which Parliamentarians can develop and promote the comprehensive frameworks needed to do so.

Etude nationale sur la Discrimination en Matière d’Emploi et de Profession à Madagascar et Propositions pour l’Elaboration d’un Programme National pour son Elimination

02 March 2009

La discrimination sur le lieu du travail, quelle que soit sa forme ou manifestation, doit être combattue et éradiquée, car elle demeure un obstacle à la justice sociale. Par la Déclaration de l’OIT relative aux principes et droits fondamentaux au travail en 1998, les Etats membres se sont engagés à oeuvrer, entre autres objectifs, en faveur de l’élimination de la discrimination en matière d’emploi et de profession et tendre vers plus d’égalité au travail. Madagascar a ratifié les conventions N°100 sur l’égalité de rémunération, 1951, qui consacre le principe de l’égalité de rémunération et de prestations entre les femmes et les hommes pour un travail de valeur égale et N° 111 concernant la discrimination dans l’emploi et la profession, 1958. La présente étude a pour objet de contribuer à générer une meilleure prise sur la réalité de la discrimination et de l’inégalité dans le monde du travail à Madagascar et asseoir une plus grande efficacité des actions.

Promoting Equity: gender-neutral job evaluation for equal pay. A step-by-step guide

10 January 2009

This Guide, to be used when mplementing the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, free from discrimination based on sex, as enshrined in the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), is in keeping with the Follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and, in particular, with the 2003 and 2007 Global Reports devoted to equality at work. It is meant as a tool to be used to promote this principle in many different workplace environments. To date, the ILO Convention No. 100, adopted in 1951, has been ratified by 167 countries. However, despite this broad consensus regarding the principle enshrined in it, the pay gap between women and men remains a persistent and universal fact of the labour market. Recent statistical surveys have revealed that this gap exists in countries with very diverse economic structures and that, although the gap is decreasing in most of these countries, this progress is being achieved very slowly. The gap persists despite the significant gains women have made in terms of education and work experience.

Forced labour and human trafficking: A toolkit for trade unions in Zambia

01 November 2008

This toolkit was developed in collaboration with trade unions in Zambia. It aims to provide practical guidance and suggestions that will allow trade union officers and members to recognize forced labour and to take action to prevent it and assist its victims.

Forced labour and human trafficking: Guidelines for labour officers in Zambia

01 November 2008

To win the war on forced labour, labour inspectors and other law enforcement officers need the right tools. They need to have a stronger grasp of the concepts, and indicators of possible forced labour situations. This is the role that these guidelines will play.

Non-discrimination et égalité dans l’emploi et la profession

07 October 2008

"Focus on forced labour - Union action to protect the world’s most marginalised workers" International union rights

05 October 2008

Special edition on forced labour of the Journal "International union rights", Volume 14 Issue 4 2008

Investigating forced labour and trafficking: Do they exist in Zambia?

24 September 2008

This research project was undertaken in response to an approach by the Zambian Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) to the International Labour Office (ILO) to request assistance to look into the possible existence of forced labour practices in Zambia. In particular, MLSS had become concerned about the practices of some recruitment agencies, which were acting as ‘labour brokers’ in the mining sector. These agencies were thought to be exploiting jobseekers after they had been placed into employment, by retaining a significant part of their wages as a placement fee. MLSS’ concern arose following the lodging of complaints by workers over non-payment of terminal benefits, with neither the client company nor the recruitment agency accepting responsibility for the payment.

Forced labour and human trafficking: handbook for labour inspectors

01 August 2008

The handbook is a tool for training. It seeks both to inform labour inspectors of the facts and trends of modern forced labour and the challenges before them, and to promote discussion as to how labour inspectorates worldwide could be harnessed more effectively to global efforts against forced labour and trafficking.

Strengthening Employers’Activities against Forced Labour

22 July 2008

Project flier on the role of Employers and Business in fighting forced labour

Freedom of association in practice: Lessons learned. Global Report under the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Report of the Director-General, 2008

01 May 2008

Human Trafficking And Forced Labour - Case studies and responses from Portugal

01 May 2008

The objective of the book is to study the phenomena of labour exploitation and forced labour to which immigrants and, in particular, victims of human trafficking, are subjected in Portugal. It also sheds light on the treatment of Portuguese emigrants in select destination countries.