Supplementing the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), to address implementation gaps to advance prevention, protection and compensation measures, to effectively achieve the elimination of forced labour

According to the most recent ILO estimates, at least 20.9 million people are victims of forced labour globally. The conclusions adopted by the Tripartite Meeting of Experts on Forced Labour and Trafficking for Labour Exploitation (11–15 February 2013) considered that despite the broad reach of Convention No. 29, and the measures taken by member States, there was “an added value in the adoption of supplementary measures to address the significant implementation gaps remaining in order to effectively eradicate forced labour in all its forms” (paragraph 26). The experts reached consensus that these gaps “should be addressed through standard setting to advance prevention, protection and compensation measures” (paragraph 27).

At its 317th Session (March 2013), the Governing Body decided to place a standard-setting item on the agenda of the 103rd Session (2014) of the Conference with a view to supplementing Convention No. 29, to address implementation gaps to advance prevention, protection and compensation measures, to effectively achieve the elimination of forced labour. The Governing Body also approved a programme of reduced intervals for this item, to allow the Conference to deal with it at this session.

Reports to the Conference

  1. Report IV(1)

    Strengthening action to end forced labour

    16 July 2013

    Overview of the international legal framework for the elimination forced labour, and examination of national law and practice concerning national policy and institutions, prevention, victim protection, compensation and enforcement, including a questionnaire for member States.

  2. Report IV(2A)

    Strengthening action to end forced labour

    27 March 2014

  3. Report IV(2B)

    Strengthening action to end forced labour

    27 March 2014

Background information

  1. ILC concludes with praise for Forced Labour Protocol

    12 June 2014

    The annual International Labour Conference has ended Thursday. In his closing remarks Director General Guy Ryder pointed to the successful adoption of the forced labour protocol as a notable achievement.

  2. © ILO 2024

    Ryder: We’ve endorsed an “agenda that really matters”

    12 June 2014

    World parliament of labour offers hope to millions of victims of forced labour, discusses migration, ways out of informality and overcoming mass unemployment.

  3. New Protocol adopted to eliminate contemporary forms of slavery

    11 June 2014

    A new legally binding Protocol aimed at strengthening global efforts to combat forced labour was largely adopted by government, employer and worker delegates to the International Labour Conference (ILC). "This is truly a historic moment because delegates in this room have now modernized effectively Convention 29, which was adopted 84 years ago. We have much stronger measures now to protect the victims and to prevent Forced Labour", said Beate Andrees, Head of the ILO Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour.

  4. ILC adopts new Protocol to help eliminate forced labour

    11 June 2014

    The International Labour Conference has voted 437 to 8 to adopt a new protocol on forced labour. Delegates have hailed the move as a major step in the fight against contemporary forms of forced labour.

  5. © Shah Marai / AFP 2024

    ILO adopts new Protocol to tackle modern forms of forced labour

    11 June 2014

    A new legally binding ILO Protocol on Forced Labour aims to advance prevention, protection and compensation measures, as well as to intensify efforts to eliminate contemporary forms of slavery.

  6. Forced Labour Committee grapples with modernising 84 year old convention

    06 June 2014

    One of the key questions before the International Labour Conference (ILC) this year is how to reform the Forced Labour Convention. Originally adopted in 1930, Convention 29 is widely considered by delegates to be in need of change to help the millions of people affected by forced labour globally.

  7. ILO Director-General’s opening remarks to the International Labour Conference

    28 May 2014

  8. © ILO 2024

    International Labour Conference opens with calls to address migration and forced labour

    28 May 2014

    The 103rd annual International Labour Conference began Wednesday in Geneva. Thousands of delegates representing governments, employees and employers have gathered to discuss and address issues surrounding migration, forced labour and the formalization of the global workforce.