ILO discusses key areas to tackle forced labour and human trafficking in the EU

BRUSSELS (ILO News) - A high-level conference entitled "Together against human trafficking for forced labour and labour exploitation", hosted by the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together high-ranking representatives of public administration, international institutions, academic societies and NGOs.

The ILO addressed shared challenges the EU faces in combating forced labour and human trafficking for labour exploitation. With an estimated 4.4 cases of modern slavery per thousand people, Europe and Central Asia have the second highest prevalence of forced labour globally.

Irene Wintermayr, Policy Officer at ILO-Brussels, discussed four key areas of focus to tackle these challenges. First, there is a need to improve prevention, including through the effective enforcement and coverage of labour law and fair recruitment practices. Sectors where human trafficking for labour exploitation frequently occurs – agriculture, cleaning, construction, domestic work, meat/food processing and transport – often coincide with poor enforcement of labour laws and weak social dialogue mechanisms.

Second, victim protection needs to be enhanced. The potential of national labour inspectorates to detect and identify victims should also be better harnessed.

Globally, there are 27.6 million people in forced labour on any given day, and 86% of forced labour is imposed by private actors. However, most victims are not detected

said Ms Wintermayr.

Third, she emphasized the need to improve prosecution, and ensure access to effective remedies and effective compensation for victims. Prosecutions for human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation remain extremely low, and investigations into potential cases are resource intensive.

Third, she emphasized the need to improve prosecution, and ensure access to effective remedies and effective compensation for victims. Prosecutions for human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation remain extremely low, and investigations into potential cases are resource intensive.

In concluding, Ms Wintermayr invited participants to partner with the ILO and the UN at the global level, such as the Alliance 8.7 to tackle forced labour and human trafficking beyond the EU.