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February 2012
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Unravelling the cycle of bonded labour in Afghanistan
07 February 2012
According to a new ILO report launched in Kabul on 7 February 2012, Afghan brick kilns heavily rely on debt bondage of adults and children. Even when families make progress toward paying back loans, the perpetual need for more advances (often for medical purposes or basic necessities), keep most families tied to their employers. Bonded labour of adults and children in brick kilns is one of the most prevalent, yet least known forms of hazardous labour in Afghanistan. The new ILO study on the phenomenon, Buried in Bricks, marks the first attempt to provide a better understanding of the dynamics of bonded labour in two provinces of the country, Kabul and Nangarhar.
December 2011
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Launch of the ILO Survey Guidelines to Measure Forced Labour of Adults and Children
13 December 2011
On 15 December 2011, a roundtable will launch the first guidelines on how to measure forced labour of adults and children.
October 2011
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First webinar on “Eradicating Forced Labour from Global Supply Chains”
26 October 2011
Organized by the ILO Helpdesk for Business and Special Action Programme to combat forced labour, the webinar will provide practical guidance to assess and address forced labour risks.
July 2011
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"We must put and end to modern slavery" says Cecilia Malmström - European Commissioner, Responsible for Home Affairs
05 July 2011
Through her blog, Cecilia Malmström firmly addresses forced labour: "These crimes are not acceptable under any circumstances. (...) We must do everything possible to stop the people responsible for these acts."
June 2011
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Watch in streamed live the OSCE conference "Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation: Decent Work and Social Justice"
20 June 2011
On 20 and 21 June, The 11th High-level Alliance against Trafficking in Persons conference aims to gain a deeper understanding and to analyse the various interconnected factors that foster the exploitation of people in slavery-like practice. Mr Guy Ryder, Executive Director of the ILO's Standards and Fundamental Rights at Work Department will participate to the session on "Partners in the Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons"
May 2011
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ILO and Georgia to host conference on human trafficking in the Caucasus region
17 May 2011
The International Labour Organization (ILO), its partner agencies and the government of Georgia are to co-host a regional conference in Tbilisi on 18-19 May to forge new partnerships in the fight against trafficking in human beings and forced labour in the Caucasus region.
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Sri Lanka: Residential training programme on trafficking and forced labour for police officers
16 May 2011
The programme will take place on 24 and 25 May in Colombo. It will include sessions on investigation methods, interrogation of victims and witnessess, forced labour and human trafficking, leading in of evidence, treatment of victims etc.
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on Mauritania to do more to eradicate slave-like practices
03 May 2011
Mauritania’s steps so far to eliminate slavery are welcome, she said, emphasizing the need for a strict implementation of a 2007 anti-slavery law. “Much more needs to be done to eradicate the perpetuation of slave-like practices,” Ms. Pillay said. “There is a need to integrate all victims in the chain of economic activities in the country, and to develop an awareness programme targeting the general public.”
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Victims of trafficking for forced labour are difficult to identify, HEUNI says
01 May 2011
A new three country study takes a comprehensive look at trafficking for forced labour in Finland, Poland and Estonia. The study shows that the level of awareness of trafficking for forced labour is generally low in the three countries, and situations of exploitation are difficult for authorities and other actors to identify.
April 2011
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Nepali slaves in the Middle East
14 April 2011
A video on Nepalese workers trafficked to Middle East. Unscrupulous recruitment agents take huge sums of money from them. Once at destination they are forced to work in appalling conditions. Many are abused by their employers and some may never return alive. Funded by Anti-Slavery International and the International Trade Union Confederation
February 2011
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The memorial to honour victims of slavery will serve as a call to action against contemporary manifestations of slavery
02 February 2011
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon launches a website for the permanent memorial honouring the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, calling it an important step forward in making the memorial a reality at the United Nations Headquarters complex.
December 2010
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EU Parliament approves tougher rules to combat trafficking in human beings
15 December 2010
Traffickers in human beings are to face tougher penalties for their crime and victims will be entitled to better protection and assistance, under a new EU law approved today by the European Parliament. The new rules will apply to trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation.
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Europe: First EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator appointed
15 December 2010
The European Commission has decided to appoint Ms Myria Vassiliadou to the position of European Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. The Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will improve coordination and coherence between EU institutions, EU agencies, Member States, third countries and international actors. She will help elaborate existing and new EU policies relevant to the fight against trafficking and provide overall strategic policy orientation for the EU's external policy in this field. She will contribute to ensure coherence between many different policy fields, such as police and judicial cooperation, protection of human rights, external relations, migration policies and social and labour law.
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Slavery remains invisible in households around the world - UN expert on contemporary forms of slavery
02 December 2010
Statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Slavery, Gulnara Shahinian, to mark the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
November 2010
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A Rights-Based Approach to Counter Labour Trafficking: U.S. and German Experiences
24 November 2010
The event „A Rights-Based Approach to Counter Labour Trafficking – U.S. and German Experiences “ was organized jointly by the US Embassy and project “Berlin Alliance against Trafficking for Labour Exploitation” (BBGM), implemented amongst others by IOM and ILO, to mark the 4th Annual European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings.
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Germany: Research on trafficking for labour exploitation in Berlin and Brandenburg
20 November 2010
A new study has collected available knowledge on trafficking for labour exploitation in Berlin and the surrounding region Brandenburg and systematised and analyzed (possible) cases. „Human Trafficking for Labour Exploitation. An explorative study into its forms, origins and extent in selected industrial sectors in Berlin and Brandenburg“ carried out by Dr. Norbert Cyrus, Dr. Dita Vogel and Katrin de Boer on behalf of the Berlin Alliance against Human Trafficking (BBGM) was presented on 15 September 2010 in Berlin
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Statement of Trade Unions in Arab Countries: Promoting Decent Work for Domestic Workers
19 November 2010
Statement unanimously adopted by the representatives of trade unions in Arab countries participating in the Regional Workshop on the Role of Trade Unions in Promoting Decent Work for Domestic Workers in Arab Countries held in Beirut from 11 to 12 November 2010
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Landmark Arab trade union meeting on formalizing domestic work
14 November 2010
International Convention on domestic work discussed by Arab trade unions
October 2010
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The government of Kenya has signed a new law to curb human trafficking
29 October 2010
The Counter Trafficking in Persons Bill will crack down on human traffickers and offer protection to trafficking victims in Kenya.
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Oman: National workshop on trafficking in human beings: Prevention, prosecution and protection
20 October 2010
In Oman, foreign workers constitute almost half of the labour force. The National workshop organized by the Ministry of Manpower aimed at discussing the conditions of migrant workers to what regards to forced labour and trafficking in human beings.