News on forced labour

January 2019

  1. Russian Federation’s renewed commitment to combat forced labour

    17 January 2019

    The Russian Federation has ratified the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, becoming the 28th ILO Member State to do so.

December 2018

  1. International Migrants Day 2018: Street Theatre to Raise Awareness on Human Trafficking

    The ILO in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), organised a pop-up street theatre performance in honour of International Migrants day on 18 December 2018.

  2. ILO Director-General on First Ever Visit to Uzbekistan

    14 December 2018

    Mr. Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is on his first ever visit to Uzbekistan.

  3. Advancing human rights at work - A look back at 2018

    14 December 2018

    2018 has been a significant year in advancing fundamental principles and rights at work. Working with governments, social partners and communities, the ILO FUNDAMENTALS Branch has helped those who cannot organize and bargain collectively, those suffering from discrimination, and those who are trapped in child labour and forced labour. There is much more to be done, and we look forward to accelerating progress and coordinating action towards our common goals over the coming years.

  4. Mrunal Thakur tells harrowing real-life story of forced prostitution

    10 December 2018

    Actress and model Mrunal Thakur voices the real-life story of a rural girl trapped in forced prostitution in the city. The artist supports the 50 for Freedom campaign led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its partners to end modern slavery.

November 2018

  1. Freida Pinto gives a voice to a girl trapped in modern slavery

    30 November 2018

    The actress Freida Pinto voices the real-life story of a girl trapped in bonded labour, working in a brick kiln with her family since she was 13. Freida Pinto is one of the world renowned artists supporting the 50 for Freedom campaign to end modern slavery, led by the International Labour Organization and its partners.

  2. Major progress on forced labour and child labour in Uzbekistan cotton fields

    22 November 2018

    International Labour Organization monitors say that forced labour during the cotton harvest in Uzbekistan has been significantly reduced. As in previous years child labour is no longer a concern.

October 2018

  1. Eliminating child and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment value chains

    On 20 November, a workshop will bring together key stakeholders to discuss possible approaches to eliminate child and forced labour in the cotton industry.

  2. Businesses and Fair Recruitment: promoting responsible business conduct via the joint ILO-EU REFRAME project

    The Regional Multi-stakeholder Forum: Responsible Business Conduct for Safe Labour Migration in ASEAN, supported by the joint ILO-EU REFRAME project, brought together over 90 participants ASEAN ministries in charge of migration and people trafficking, ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, migrant workers’ organisations, employers’ associations, recruitment agencies, trade unions, women’s groups, civil society organisations, and think-tanks. The forum highlighted good practices and policies at government and company levels to ensure that unfair, exploitative or abusive labour practices of private companies’ partners, suppliers or sub-contractors are addressed, including unethical recruitment.

  3. Media and the Fair Recruitment Initiative: ILO and IFJ engage journalists on ethical reporting

    The ILO held a workshop in collaboration with IFJ on media reporting on forced labour and fair recruitment. The workshop gathered professional journalists and media trainers from fifteen different countries. During the workshop, the Toolkit on Media reporting on Forced Labour and Fair Recruitment was reviewed by the participating journalists and its practical dissemination and utilization by the media in both departure and destination countries involved in international recruitment processes was discussed. It was the opportunity for fruitful exchanges of experience that will enrich the Toolkit and build its momentum on the way to its release.