Ending Forced Labour: Partnerships for a Path Forward

Washington, DC, USA (ILO News) - On September 17th, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) hosted a panel discussion entitled, "Ending Forced Labour: Partnerships for a Path Forward" with Manuela Tomei (Assistant Director-General, ILO) and Thea Lee (Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor), moderated by Michelle Strucke (Director, Human Rights Initiative, CSIS). The panel discussion underlined the pervasiveness of forced labour worldwide and in nearly every industry and what actions can be taken to better combat it.

Cindy Dyer, Ambassador-at-Large (Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons), U.S. Department of State, delivered the keynote remark, stressing the importance of collaboration and how forced labour undermines legitimate businesses and poses risks to international peace and security.

Manuela Tomei began the panel discussion by highlighting recent research and global trends in forced labour, most notably that rates of forced labour have been increasing since 2016 and that 28 million people are currently trapped in it. These alarming trends are a result of an increased number of cases of forced labour in the private sector and a substantial increase in its profitability (236 billion USD). Manuela Tomei also discussed the ILO's capacity and systemic approach to forced labour, mentioning the ILO's success of eliminating forced labour in Uzbekistan's cotton industry and the wealth of knowledge and tools the ILO provides. In line with recent findings, she revealed there is a higher proportion of forced labour in high-income and middle-income countries rather than in developing countries, ultimately emphasizing that forced labour is truly a global phenomenon.

Likewise, Thea Lee reiterated the importance of collaboration in eradicating forced labour, namely describing the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) partnership with ILO and how both organizations together provide a thorough understanding of developments in forced labour. She provided important insights about the role of the private sector, noting that removing the profitability of forced labour through government action is a crucial step as even the most informed consumer cannot avoid purchasing goods tainted with forced labour. She discussed how corporate recruitment practices and technology are failing to protect workers, employers, and consumers and accordingly, these actors and the government must work together in resolving this issue.

Fernando de Oliveira Sena, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Brazil to the United States concluded the panel discussion by remarking on Brazil's rich history of fighting for worker's rights and how it continues to be a fundamental priority in the country as exemplified by the U.S.-Brazil Partnership.