According to ILO global estimates, nearly 25 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide, almost 14% of them in Africa. In other words, in Africa, 2.8 people out of every 1,000 are being forced to work.

By ratifying the Protocol, Comoros pledges to take effective measures to prevent forced labour, protect the victims and guarantee that they have access to justice, as requested by the Protocol.

The Protocol also stipulates that specific action is to be taken against trafficking in persons. Comoros has already put in place different measures to combat trafficking in persons. In 2014, Comoros adopted the Act No. 14-034/AU that criminalizes the trafficking of children and provides for stringent penal sanctions for the perpetrators. It has also adopted measures in the context of the National Child Protection Policy (2016-21) to combat child trafficking and set up a group to monitor the Government’s commitments with regard to combating human trafficking. In addition, Comoros has been receiving assistance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes to enhance its legal, policy and coordination frameworks to prevent, suppress and prosecute trafficking in persons, and support the victims of this practice.

Since the beginning of the year 2021, no less than 6 countries have ratified the Protocol. It is a strong sign of their determination to end forced labour. It is also an important contribution towards the achievement of target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, on the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour.