Human trafficking and forced labour exploitation - guidance for legislation and law enforcement

This guide has been designed to provide lawmakers and law enforcement authorities with practical aid to understand and implement international standards on human trafficking and to take action accordingly.

In very many countries, specific laws on forced labour either do not exist, or are of such general nature as to make it very difficult for law enforcement agents to identify, prosecute and punish individual forced labour cases.

Furthermore, the ILO's own experience shows that law enforcement alone cannot be an effective remedy for these problems. There is always a need for a dual approach, combining prosecution and law enforcement with employment-based and other social measures for prevention and the rehabilitation of victims.

For guidance on these compex matters, interantional partners and governments are increasingly turning to the ILO. In response, we have prepared this document.