Brazil: The 2nd National Action Plan to Eradicate Slave Labour has been launched 22 September 2008 - Learning from their 5 year experience, the CONATRAE prepared a Second Action Plan which was adopted on the 10 September 2008. After making an analysis of the achievements and the difficulties of the first national plan, this second plan offers 66 measures to combat forced labour, the first one being to keep the eradication of forced labour as a priority for the Brazilian State, with more concrete and realistic goals.
New manual "Forced labour and human trafficking: handbook for labour inspectors" 15 September 2008 - This new handbook is a tool to train labour inspectors about facts and trends of modern forced labour. This first version of the handbook was presented at a European Expert
Meeting of Labour Inspectors in December 2007, as well as at national
seminars in Asian countries including China and Vietnam.
August 2008
Taking the fight to the stage - Hip hop used to counter human trafficking in Zambia 14 August 2008 - Young people in Zambia will soon be learning important messages about human trafficking while dancing to a new beat. The four minute ‘bounce-to-the-beat’ hip hop track, sung in English interspersed with three local Zambian languages, warns young people of the illegal trade in human beings and of how traffickers lure their victims with false promises of a ‘better life’.
Handout of publications - [pdf 284 KB] 01 August 2008 - Updated list of all the publications of the ILO Special Action Programme against Forced Labour
Ghana: Community members urged to join hands to fight human
trafficking - [pdf 71 KB] 01 August 2008 - Mr. Wahab Suhuyini Wumbei, Tolon/ Kumbungu District Chief Executive (DCE), on Thursday appealed to community members to join hands with stakeholders in the fight against forced labour and human trafficking. An article from Modern Ghana News
June 2008
New leaflet "Strengthening Employers’ Activities against Forced Labour" 27 June 2008 - Employers’ organisations and business have a central role to play in combating, preventing and eradicating all forms of forced or compulsory labour. Employers’ organisations, in particular, are strategically well-laced to provide institutional engagement and sustainability for programmes that address this abuse. Business involvement is key to the success of the ILO’s campaign to rid the world of forced labour and human trafficking by 2015.
ILO Brazil Combating Forced Labour Campaign wins important Publicity Prize 02 June 2008 - In 2007, a publicity piece of art – a magazine centerfold – was created by the agency AlmapBBDO for ILO’s Project Combating Forced Labour in Brazil. The piece won one Advertising Award “Abril”, 2008 edition, in the category "Creation in Review – Reader’s Opinion".
May 2008
Forced labour in Brazil: 120 years after the abolition of slavery, the fight goes on 13 May 2008 - On May 13th 1888, Brazil became the last nation in the Western Hemisphere to formally abolish slavery. One-hundred and twenty years later, it is estimated that 25,000 to 40,000 workers are still victims of conditions analogous to slavery in this South American country. The problem is particularly serious in the northern agricultural states, where widespread poverty and the vast distances make it very difficult to detect violations. However, with the guidance of the ILO and the help of employers, the Brazilian government is gradually turning the situation around. ILO Online reports from Brazil.
March 2008
Meeting of European Christian anti-trafficking network strengthens cooperation with trade unions 31 March 2008 - Some 80 representatives of churches, governments, trade unions, police and NGOs from 15 European countries met for an international conference and workshop on trafficking in human beings in Bucharest from 27th to 30th March 2008. The workshop “Christian action against trafficking – going beyond”, which was co-organised by the Churches´ Commission for Migrants in Europe and the Romanian ecumenical association of churches AIDRom, looked at the particular challenges of trafficking for forced labour. The workshop is the first of a series of CCME activities aimed at mapping and sharing best practice against trafficking for forced labour.