A treaty to change 25 million lives
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What is the Protocol on Forced Labour?It’s a legally-binding treaty that requires governments to take new measures to tackle forced labour in all its forms. It works on three main levels: preventing forced labour, protecting victims and ensuring they have access to justice and compensation. As an international treaty, countries must first ratify the Protocol before it enters into force. |
 “Slavery and civilization cannot coexist, because they are an inherent contradiction – it’s intolerable, it’s unacceptable and it’s not negotiable. We have to act now. All countries should ratify the ILO’s protocol against forced labour.” |
How can the Protocol prevent forced labour?Countries that ratify the Protocol will have to make sure that all workers in all sectors are protected by legislation. They’ll have to strengthen labour inspections and other services that protect workers from being exploited. They’ll also have to take extra steps to educate and inform people and communities about crimes like human trafficking. |
 “If we want to make a significant change in the lives of the 25 million men, women and children in forced labour, we need to take concrete and immediate action. Let’s not just be angry at slavery, let’s make change happen.” |
What does the Protocol provide for victims?The Protocol guarantees victims access to justice and compensation — even if they’re not legal residents of the country they’re working in. It also protects them from prosecution for any laws they were made to break while they were in slavery. Governments would also have to crack down on abuses and fraudulent practices by job recruiters and employment agencies. |
 “The ILO Protocol is critical and all governments are called upon to ratify it in the fight against modern slavery “. |
Isn’t there already a treaty on forced labour?Yes! In fact, most countries of the world have signed the landmark Forced Labour Convention of 1930. But since then, new forms of forced labour have emerged, such as human trafficking, which are even more complex and difficult to tackle. The Protocol on Forced Labour complements the Convention by adding new elements, such as addressing root causes so that slavery can be eliminated once and for all. It also requires employers to exercise “due diligence” to avoid forced labour in their business practices or supply chains. |
 “A clear and active commitment is needed from all companies to eradicate forced labour”. |
In a nutshell…The Protocol on Forced Labour won’t end forced labour by itself. But convincing governments to ratify it is a critical step in that direction. The initial target of the 50 for Freedom campaign was reached with the first 50 countries having ratified the Protocol. It’s time for all countries to follow suit. You can help by joining the campaign and asking your government representatives to ratify the Protocol on Forced Labour. |
 “I believe that modern slavery is the most outrageous assault on the rights of an individual. We should be shocked, but most people don’t even know that 21 million people are in modern slavery. People need to know that it’s a reality. ” |
Where can I learn more about the Protocol? |