Forced Labour Action in the Asian Region Project (FLARE)

The project aims to strengthen national institutions and capacities to prevent and address forced labour in East and South-East Asia


Project background

According to the ILO’s most recent estimate more than 20 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 56 per cent – or more than 11 million – of this global total. This region also contains seven of the eight ILO member States that have not yet ratified the ILO Forced Labour Convention No. 29, and all 11 of the countries that have not ratified the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No. 105. These figures demonstrate the importance of strengthening efforts to combat forced labour in the region.

Project objectives

The FLARE project aims to strengthen national institutions and capacities to prevent and address forced labour in East and South-East Asia. The project addresses both forced labour in the private sector and state-imposed forced labour, within the broader framework of promoting fundamental principles and rights at work. Its strategy is built on the principle that greater involvement of strong labour market institutions, including labour inspectorates, is a prerequisite for upholding rights at the workplace and preventing the occurrence of violations that may lead to forced labour.
 
The main interventions of the FLARE project focus on supporting legal and policy reforms, capacity building and knowledge sharing. The FLARE project aims to:
  • Strengthen legal and policy frameworks to prevent and address forced labour and human trafficking;
  • Increase knowledge sharing, and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement systems to identify and prosecute forced labour and human trafficking cases; and
  • Work with employers and workers’ organizations to ensure effective action against forced labour in vulnerable sectors and global supply chains.

Partners

Ministries of Labour, Justice and Public Security, workers’ and employers’ organisations, industry associations and human rights institutions.

Target beneficiaries

Women, men and children in forced labour in different economic sectors, and persons performing forced labour in prisons and detention centres.

For further information please contact:

Ms Marja Paavilainen, Chief Technical Adviser
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for
East and South-East Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Ave
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel.: +66 2288 1339
Fax: +66 2288 3062
Email

Mr Panupol Phrommanukul, Programme and Administrative Assistant
ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for
East and South-East Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Ave
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel.: +66 2288 2107
Fax: +66 2288 3062
Email