News on forced labour

February 2008

  1. Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, 13-15 February 2008 - Passport wanted: combating human trafficking and forced labour

    12 February 2008

    The biggest ever international conference on human trafficking represents a unique opportunity to forge a global alliance against this form of modern slavery. At least 2.4 million people are victims of trafficking for the purpose of forced labour around the world generating an estimated US$32 billion in annual profits. A recent study by the ILO and the Portuguese Government shows how the search for a better life can lead to labour exploitation and human trafficking of people in both developing and developed countries.

  2. ILO experts to highlight critical aspects of human trafficking at Vienna Forum

    11 February 2008

    Leading experts representing the International Labour Organization (ILO), including senior employers and trade unionists, are to focus new attention on critical aspects of human trafficking such as forced labour, and the role of employers and workers in combating trafficking within supply chains, at the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking on 13-15 February.

January 2008

  1. ITUC and ETUC Welcome European Convention Against Human Trafficking

    30 January 2008

    The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) have welcomed the entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Convention becomes legally binding on the first ten countries to have ratified it (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia), on 1 February, with Bosnia-Herzegovina, France and Norway following on 1 May. Most European countries have taken the first steps to ratify the Convention, with the UK having already announced its intention to complete the ratification by the end of 2008. “We are encouraging our member organisations in Europe to push their governments to ratify this Convention and to make sure it is fully enforced. The criminal gangs and the recruiters who organise this trade in human beings must be stopped and punished, and the factors which make people vulnerable to this exploitation must be dealt with. Our global alliance against forced labour and trafficking will mobilise increased trade union action around the world against this form of modern-day slavery.”, said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

  2. Two new publications in Chinese!

    28 January 2008

    Two publications have just been translated into Chinese: a training manual "Trafficking for forced labour – how to monitor the recruitment of migrant workers", and some legal guidelines "Human trafficking and forced labour exploitation - guidance for legislation and law enforcement". More information under Information Ressources section.

  3. Abu Dhabi Dialogue on Contractual Labour for Cooperation between Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia

    24 January 2008

    Ministers from Asian labour countries of origin and Gulf destination countries, together with Malaysia and Singapore, concluded the two-day Abu Dhabi Dialogue by adopting a forward-looking declaration that paves the way for the better management of temporary contractual labour mobility.

  4. The UN.GIFT Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking

    UN.GIFT aims to mobilize state and non-state players to eradicate human trafficking by reducing both the vulnerability of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; ensuring adequate protection and support to those who do fall victim, as well as efficient prosecution of the criminals involved. The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking will take place in Vienna, Austria, 13-15 February 2008, to raise awareness about human trafficking. More than 1’000 participants are awaited.

  5. Towards a Global Trade Union Alliance against Forced Labour and Trafficking

    15 January 2008

    At its last session (12-14 December 2007), the ITUC General Council endorsed a plan of action for future trade union activities in the areas of forced labour and trafficking. This decision was an essential step in the establishment of a Global Trade Union Alliance against Forced Labour and Trafficking, a process initiated in April 2007. More specifically the General Council approved the action points listed hereunder and “urged all affiliates to integrate them into their work programmes as appropriate in their national circumstances”.

December 2007

  1. Human trafficking in Moldova: the trade of human misery

    20 December 2007

    In Moldova, desperation, poverty, and high unemployment make young girls and women easy prey for traffickers, who promise them well paid jobs abroad. In a co-production with Rockhopper TV, ILO TV tells the story of Maria, forced to work illegally in Russia.

  2. BWI and ILO sign agreement to end forced labour in the wood and forestry industry in the Andean countries

    15 December 2007

    Both organisations commit to organize these vulnerable workers and raise awareness on their fundamental rights at work, particularly in Bolivia and Peru.

  3. Regional agreement of cooperation between the GUFs in Panama and ILO/ACTRAV regional office in order to fight against forced labour

    05 December 2007

    Carlos Salguero, BWI regional representative for Latin America and Caribbean signed the regional agreement of co-operation with the ILO and ACTRAV regional office in order to fight against forced labour in our sectors. The agreement was welcomed by the other GUFs.