Human trafficking
Combating forced labour through e-learning
A new ILO online course teaches participants to better understand and prevent trafficking in persons in East and South-East Asia
4 August 2015
BANGKOK (ILO News) – ‘Chan’ and nine other Cambodian women were excited when they were recruited in their home country to work abroad.
The recruitment agency told them they would earn around US$ 220 a month working as assistants in the manufacturing of jewelry and gold products in Malaysia.
On arrival, however, the reality was very different.
The employers confiscated their travel documents and mobile phones.
Chan and her colleagues had to work 16 hours a day, in hazardous conditions and were never given a day off. Food was scarce.
All ten women slept in the basement of the factory and were not allowed to leave the premises. Their wages were kept by the employer, who promised that the workers would receive the money at the end of their contracts. The women worked without pay for over a year.
Chan’s story is among the case studies featured in a new ILO online course on preventing and addressing trafficking in persons in East and South-East Asia, which is running from August to September.
The course was developed for AP-Forced Labour Net, an ILO-sponsored online platform that helps people connect, exchange ideas, share resources and learn about preventing and addressing forced labour. While the course focuses mainly on East and South East Asia, participants from other regions are also welcome.
“This online course was designed to help people have a clearer understanding of issues such as forced labour, trafficking in persons, substandard working conditions and labour migration,” explained Marja Paavilainen, Chief Technical Adviser, and ILO’s Forced Labour Action in the Asian Region (FLARE).
“It also addresses the root causes and vulnerabilities that put people at risk of falling victims to labour exploitation”.
The course is aimed at government officials responsible for labour protection, labour inspection, migration management and anti-trafficking. Representatives of employers and workers’ organizations, victim assistance and civil society organizations are also expected to take park, alongside others actively involved in the prevention, identification and prosecution of cases of forced labour and trafficking in persons.
“My objective by taking this course is to increase my knowledge of a problem that is affecting many people in my country. Even though I am not confronted with forced labour cases in my work, I still believe becoming more aware of the problem can be very useful, especially to understand the cheating techniques that are used by traffickers.”
Thearith was also attracted to the course because it is online, which makes it possible for him to keep working and avoid expensive travel and accommodation costs.
Another participant is Wimolthinee Wongchachom, a 38 year-old social auditor from Thailand. After five years in her job she wants to develop her ability to handle forced labour cases.
“My expectation for this course is to get a better understanding of the problem, how to solve it and what kind of support can be provided to people trapped in forced labour situations,” she explained.
The first module focuses on the legal definition of forced labour. It covers the relevant legal framework, including the recently adopted Protocol of 2014 to the ILO’s Forced Labour Convention No. 29.
The second module debates ways of detecting signs of forced labour situations in practice and how to use indicators for data collection and research purposes.
Finally, the third module focuses on topics such as prevention, victim protection and access to remedies, particularly with regard to groups regarded as being at high risk, such as migrant and domestic workers.
"At the end of the course, participants are expected to have a better understanding of forced labour and of the applicable international legal framework," said Marja Paavilainen.
“They should also be able to better identify forced labour cases from more traditional labour rights violations and have a better understanding of prevention measures and effective assistance to victims”.
The course is expected to start on 3 August, 2015 but participants may still register and join after this date.
But, before the Protocol to Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) can make a real difference it must be ratified by countries around the world.
50 for Freedom is a campaign that aims to encourage at least 50 countries to ratify the Protocol by 2018. Sign up here
The recruitment agency told them they would earn around US$ 220 a month working as assistants in the manufacturing of jewelry and gold products in Malaysia.
On arrival, however, the reality was very different.
The employers confiscated their travel documents and mobile phones.
Chan and her colleagues had to work 16 hours a day, in hazardous conditions and were never given a day off. Food was scarce.
All ten women slept in the basement of the factory and were not allowed to leave the premises. Their wages were kept by the employer, who promised that the workers would receive the money at the end of their contracts. The women worked without pay for over a year.
Chan’s story is among the case studies featured in a new ILO online course on preventing and addressing trafficking in persons in East and South-East Asia, which is running from August to September.
The course was developed for AP-Forced Labour Net, an ILO-sponsored online platform that helps people connect, exchange ideas, share resources and learn about preventing and addressing forced labour. While the course focuses mainly on East and South East Asia, participants from other regions are also welcome.
“This online course was designed to help people have a clearer understanding of issues such as forced labour, trafficking in persons, substandard working conditions and labour migration,” explained Marja Paavilainen, Chief Technical Adviser, and ILO’s Forced Labour Action in the Asian Region (FLARE).
“It also addresses the root causes and vulnerabilities that put people at risk of falling victims to labour exploitation”.
The course is aimed at government officials responsible for labour protection, labour inspection, migration management and anti-trafficking. Representatives of employers and workers’ organizations, victim assistance and civil society organizations are also expected to take park, alongside others actively involved in the prevention, identification and prosecution of cases of forced labour and trafficking in persons.
Awareness rising
One of the first to sign up for the course was Say Thearith, a 24 year-old legal officer working with the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC).“My objective by taking this course is to increase my knowledge of a problem that is affecting many people in my country. Even though I am not confronted with forced labour cases in my work, I still believe becoming more aware of the problem can be very useful, especially to understand the cheating techniques that are used by traffickers.”
Thearith was also attracted to the course because it is online, which makes it possible for him to keep working and avoid expensive travel and accommodation costs.
Another participant is Wimolthinee Wongchachom, a 38 year-old social auditor from Thailand. After five years in her job she wants to develop her ability to handle forced labour cases.
“My expectation for this course is to get a better understanding of the problem, how to solve it and what kind of support can be provided to people trapped in forced labour situations,” she explained.
From prevention to dealing with forced labour cases
The three course modules, and related tools, are delivered through a password-protected e-learning platform.The first module focuses on the legal definition of forced labour. It covers the relevant legal framework, including the recently adopted Protocol of 2014 to the ILO’s Forced Labour Convention No. 29.
The second module debates ways of detecting signs of forced labour situations in practice and how to use indicators for data collection and research purposes.
Finally, the third module focuses on topics such as prevention, victim protection and access to remedies, particularly with regard to groups regarded as being at high risk, such as migrant and domestic workers.
"At the end of the course, participants are expected to have a better understanding of forced labour and of the applicable international legal framework," said Marja Paavilainen.
“They should also be able to better identify forced labour cases from more traditional labour rights violations and have a better understanding of prevention measures and effective assistance to victims”.
The course is expected to start on 3 August, 2015 but participants may still register and join after this date.
BOX: Sign-up to end modern slavery
In June 2014, the International Labour Conference adopted a new international treaty, known as a Protocol, that requires countries to take additional measures to combat modern slavery while helping survivors rebuild their lives.But, before the Protocol to Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) can make a real difference it must be ratified by countries around the world.
50 for Freedom is a campaign that aims to encourage at least 50 countries to ratify the Protocol by 2018. Sign up here