Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour
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Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour

Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour

A Global Alliance against Forced Labour


Forced labour is a global problem, affecting almost all countries of the world. There are at least 12.3 million persons in forced labour today. Most victims are poverty-stricken people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, whose vulnerability is exploited by others for a profit. Yet over 350,000 women and men are also in forced labour in industrialized countries, trafficked for either labour or sexual exploitation.

With political will, forced labour can be eradicated. The ILO is promoting a Global Alliance to achieve this, with partner agencies pooling their efforts to wipe out all forced labour worldwide by 2015. This site promotes networking and information exchange, both on the disturbing facts and features of modern forced labour, and of innovative action by a range of partners to wipe it out once and for all.

News

  1. The US Department of Labour commends the ILO for its Global estimate of forced labour

    05 June 2012

    Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on data regarding forced labor that have been issued by the International Labor Organization.

  2. New ILO Global Estimate of Forced Labour: 20.9 million victims

    01 June 2012

    Today sees the launch of a new ILO global estimate of forced labour – a shocking 20.9 million women, men and children are trapped in jobs into which they were coerced or deceived and which they cannot leave. Our estimate captures the full realm of forced labour and human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation, or what some call “modern-day slavery”. The figure means that, at any given point in time, around three out of every 1,000 persons worldwide are suffering in forced labour.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

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ILO events

  1. Training "Identifying and investigating cases of forced labour and trafficking"

    15 February 2012

    This course will train participants to better identify and investigate cases of forced labour and trafficking in persons for labour exploitation. It will address different stages of the investigative process, including detecting signs, inspecting workplaces, interviewing victims, and gathering other evidence. The course will focus on forced labour occurring in the private sector (including of textile, agriculture, and domestic workers), but will not specifically address sexual exploitation.

  2. Severe labour exploitation of migrant workers - latest developments in politics and practice

    26 September 2011

    At the occasion of the World Day of Decent Work on October 7 the DGB Berlin-Brandenburg and the Berlin Alliance to Combat Trafficking for Labour Exploitation (BBGM) are organizing a public event to discuss the latest development in politics and practice with regard to severe labour exploitation of migrant workers in Berlin. BBGM is an initiative involving the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Berlin, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the German Association of Trade Unions, and the Berlin State Department for Labor and Social Affairs.

  3. Europe Aid: Preventing and prosecuting trafficking for labour exploitation

    05 July 2011

    Presentation at the EC Info point on anti-trafficking initiatives led by the ILO with EC support

  4. Regional Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia: Building partnerships to combat human trafficking and forced labour

    08 March 2011

    Regional conference to exchange good practices on the prevention of forced labour and trafficking in the context of increased labour mobility between the South Caucasus, neighbouring countries and the European Union.

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Selected ILO publications

  1. Combating forced labour: A handbook for employers and business
    22 October 2008

    This handbook provides guidance material and tools for employers and business to strengthen their capacity to address the risk of forced labour and human trafficking in their own operations and in global supply chains.

  2. 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.

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