Topic portal
Forced labour, modern slavery and trafficking in persons
Forced labour is a severe violation of human rights affecting 27.6 million of men, women and children in all countries and all economic sectors. It is rooted in poverty, discrimination and lack of social protection, and it disrupts fair competition between businesses. The issue has been at the heart of the ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõmandate to promote Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, leaving no one behind.
Highlights
What is forced labour?
Key resources on forced labour
Our impact, their voices
Forced Labour Observatory
Facts and figures
63%
of forced labour happens in the private economy
International Labour Standards on Forced Labour
The Forced Labour Convention (No. 29), adopted in 1930, contains the definition of forced labour and provides that it should be punished as a crime. This is one of the most ratified ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõstandards.
The Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105), adopted in 1957, deals with state-imposed forms of forced labour. This is one of the most ratified ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõstandards.
The Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, (P029), adopted in 2014, requires ratifying countries to take effective measures to prevent forced labour, protect victims and ensure their access to justice.
The Protocol complements the Convention No. 29, therefore only countries that have ratified this Convention can ratify the Protocol.
The Forced Labour Recommendation (No. 203), adopted in 2014, provides further guidance on how to implement the Protocol.
It is a non-binding document that does not require ratification.
What can the ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõoffer and how?
- Eradicating Forced Labour: Partnering strategically with ILO
- Promising practices in addressing Forced Labour
- Developing National Action Plans on Forced Labour
Focus on
The Fair Recruitment Initiative
The ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒõGlobal Business Network on Forced Labour
8.7 Accelerator Lab
News and articles
Voices from Sea and Shore: Reflections from the 8.7 Accelerator Lab for Decent Work in Fishing
RISE for Impact
Empowering cotton communities in Uzbekistan: ³ÉÈ˶¶Òõworkshop promotes fundamental principles and rights at work
Publications
2024 Observance of recruitment and working conditions in the cotton harvest in Turkmenistan
Understanding working conditions of fishers in Indonesia: Evidence from the 2024 Survey on Decent Work in Marine Fishing
Projects
Labour migration
Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe migration for decent work in the blue economy
JTIP Project (Socio-professional integration of victims of trafficking)