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Forced labour, modern slavery and trafficking in persons

ILO Bridge project, Nepal © ILO

Forced labour is a severe violation of human rights affecting 28 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 ILO mandate to promote Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, leaving no one behind.

Highlights

What is forced labour?
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What is forced labour?

Data and research
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Data and research

Our impact, their voices
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Our impact, their voices

Forced Labour Observatory
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Forced Labour Observatory

Facts and figures

28 million

men, women and children are in forced labour

63%

of forced labour happens in the private economy

236 billion US$

generated in illegal profits every year

60

countries ratified the ILO Forced Labour Protocol

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 ILO standards. 

What can the ILO offer and how?

Credit
ILO
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Video on the ILO approach to tackle Forced Labour
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Video on the ILO approach to tackle Forced Labour

 

Focus on

The Fair Recruitment Initiative
FRI logo no text

The Fair Recruitment Initiative

The ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour
Global Business Network on Forced Labour logo cropped

The ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour

8.7 Accelerator Lab
8.7 Accelerator Lab logo

8.7 Accelerator Lab

News and articles

A new era for employment in Gabon: Historic agreement during visit of ILO Director-General
Gilbert Houngbo serre la main du Président de la Transition du Gabon, le Général de Brigade Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.

A new era for employment in Gabon: Historic agreement during visit of ILO Director-General

Forensic Psychologists Develop Skills to Support the Prosecutorial Investigation of Child Trafficking Cases

Trafficking in persons

Forensic Psychologists Develop Skills to Support the Prosecutorial Investigation of Child Trafficking Cases

Publications

Survey on tenant growers in Malawi’s tobacco industry

Survey on tenant growers in Malawi’s tobacco industry

Nigeria Forced Labour Survey 2022

Nigeria Forced Labour Survey 2022

8.7 Accelerator Lab: Theory of change for the fishing sector

8.7 Accelerator Lab: Theory of change for the fishing sector

Projects

ILO/Japan Fund for Building Social Safety Nets in Asia and the Pacific (SSN Fund)

Social safety nets

ILO/Japan Fund for Building Social Safety Nets in Asia and the Pacific (SSN Fund)

Capacity Strengthening of Governments to Address Child Labour and Forced Labour and Violations of Acceptable Conditions of Work in...

Child Labour and Forced Labour

Capacity Strengthening of Governments to Address Child Labour and Forced Labour and Violations of Acceptable Conditions of Work in...

Want to know more about Forced Labour?
You can contact us at forcedlabour@ilo.org
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