The 2017 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery focus on two main issues: forced labour and forced marriage. The estimate of forced labour comprises forced labour in the private economy, forced sexual exploitation of adults and commercial sexual exploitation of children, and state-imposed forced labour.
New research from the Fair Labor Association and the CGF finds that the palm oil sector in Indonesia and Malaysia each show several indicators of forced labour, such as coercive practices including threats; violence and lack of clarity of employment terms and conditions; dependency on the employer; lack of protection by state/police; debt bondage; high recruitment fees; and involuntary overtime.
Many fishers put their lives at risk so that we can have fish on our plates. In such conditions, fishers are in desperate need of protection and yet many of them are excluded from general labour law protections., Only nine countries have adopted the International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) which sets minimum requirements for working and living conditions for fishers.
Why is this vital workforce overlooked? How do we protect these fishers, who are often vulnerable migrants, from life-threatening and exploitative working conditions that, in some cases, point to modern slavery? The purpose of this research report is to analyse and compare the legal frameworks of multiple countries to see how they have tackled this complex problem and identify gaps that would justify reform.
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Many fishers put their lives at risk so that we can have fish on our plates. In such conditions, fishers are in desperate need of protection and yet many of them are excluded from general labour law protections., Only nine countries have adopted the International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) which sets minimum requirements for working and living conditions for fishers.
Why is this vital workforce overlooked? How do we protect these fishers, who are often vulnerable migrants, from life-threatening and exploitative working conditions that, in some cases, point to modern slavery? The purpose of this research report is to analyse and compare the legal frameworks of multiple countries to see how they have tackled this complex problem and identify gaps that would justify reform.
Modern-day slavery takes many forms: human trafficking, forced and bonded labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. The common denominator of all these crimes is the evil intention to strip human beings of their freedom, and then to use, control, abuse and exploit them.
This report presents common trafficking scenarios in seven countries and looks at the laws that apply in each scenario. It is a tool to help front-line NGOs and lawyers secure more prosecutions, combat the culture of impunity for traffickers and deliver justice for victims of trafficking.
Since the production of goods and services has become increasingly fragmented as a result of globalisation, nearly every multinational corporation will be exposed to risks of forced labour and human trafficking, particularly where migrant or otherwise vulnerable workers are recruited into lower skilled jobs in the supply chain.
The report maps corporate liability for forced labour and human trafficking across several jurisdictions, highlighting legislation that applies to companies and what duties are expected in business operations and activities (including duties to detect, prevent, mitigate, report and remedy incidences of trafficking and forced labour). This report comprises a detailed legal mapping, most relevant to in-house and external legal advisors.
India is home to an estimated 14 million victims of human trafficking. Despite being illegal, forced and bonded labour are widespread and commercial sexual exploitation and child labour persist, often with impunity for perpetrators and limited legal recourse for victims.
Why is this vital workforce overlooked? How do we protect these fishers, who are often vulnerable migrants, from life-threatening and exploitative working conditions that, in some cases, point to modern slavery? The purpose of this research report is to analyse and compare the legal frameworks of multiple countries to see how they have tackled this complex problem and identify gaps that would justify reform.
Financial institutions have a key role to play in the fight against slavery. Through data mining and monitoring they can spot suspicious financial activity that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of traffickers. But while significant progress has been made in identifying money laundering and other financial crimes through internationally-shared mechanisms and practices, human trafficking has not been specifically addressed.
In 2013, we partnered with Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. to convey top US financial institutions and leading anti-slavery NGOs. The working group produced a set of ad-hoc red flag indicators to help detect and report suspicious financial activity potentially linked to human trafficking. Since the adoptions of the red flags by the financial institutions, the Manhattan DA’s office reported a significant spike in the number of Suspicious Activity Reports.
Each year, we invite survivors and key players to tackle the big questions in the fight against slavery and trafficking and share their experience with hundreds of people in the room and thousands more watching online.
The Stop Slavery Award was launched by the Thomson Reuters Foundation in 2015 to recognise companies that have taken concrete steps to eradicate forced labour from their supply chains.
The aim is to create a virtuous cycle, a positive paradigm to demonstrate that business can play a critical role in putting an end to modern-day slavery worldwide.
Applications are accepted in the goods company and service company categories.
The initiative publicly recognises corporations that are 'best in class' at demonstrating integrity, courage and innovation in cleaning their supply chains.
This year, we have also launched the inaugural Stop Slavery Hero Award. The Hero Award recognises individuals who have had a significant impact in the fight to eradicate slavery – whether on the front lines, or at a global scale.
The Stop Slavery Award Judging Board (below) brings together some of the world’s highest-profile leaders in the fight against slavery.
KnowTheChain is a resource for companies and investors to understand and address forced labor risks within their global supply chains. Through benchmarking current corporate practices and providing practical resources that enable companies to operate more transparently and responsibly, KnowTheChain drives corporate action while also informing investor decisions. KnowTheChain is committed to helping companies make an impact in their efforts to address forced labor.
The KnowTheChain - Stop Slavery Index will continue to leverage the expertise of KnowTheChain and its key partners, including the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Sustainalytics and Verité. Additionally, it will benefit from the know-how of the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The conference brings together senior supply chain, compliance, and sustainability practitioners alongside leading policymakers.
This forum will equip business delegates with the guidance to develop and implement robust human rights strategies, whilst remaining compliant with all emerging legislation.
Trust Conference is an annual human rights forum committed to finding real solutions to fight slavery, empower women, and advance human rights worldwide.
