Tripartite partners in Mongolia’s light industry coming together to tackle forced labour risks

On 3 September 2024, the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) and its affiliate, the Mongolian Industry Trade Union Federation (MITUF), organized a training workshop on forced labour with support from the USDOL-funded Bridge-II project in Mongolia. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about forced labour and identify action points to mitigate risks at workplaces and within the sector.

The Bridge-II project is actively supporting trade unions in Mongolia in their fight against forced labour. National trade union representatives who attended a training workshop on 15-16 January 2024 emphasized the need for further awareness among workers and employers. Consequently, the current workshop targeted tripartite partners in the wool, cashmere, and leather industries, which have high export potential.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Buyanjargal, General Secretary of CMTU, welcomed this collaborative approach to addressing forced labour issues. The workshop saw active participation from CMTU, MITUF, private companies, industrial business associations, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Light Industry. It provided a platform for dialogue among this diverse audience on how to address forced labour risks and prevent labour abuses.

Participants, including national experts, company-level trade union leaders, and management representatives, shared their experiences during group work sessions. Key action points of collaborative efforts included:

Regular awareness-raising sessions on labour rights for workers.
Training modules on forced labour designed for employers, especially executive officials.
Information sharing among stakeholders within the industry.
Public promotion of forced labour-free workplaces.
Periodic assessments and improvements of company-level rules and working conditions.