Help End Forced Labor

The United States must act quickly to adopt and implement the new international law [1] to prevent abuses, protect victims, as well as punish those that force people to work in conditions of slavery.

We have already waited decades for this tough new global standard against forced labor. The people trapped on farms, in mines, in factories and in all the other places where forced labor flourishes shouldn’t have to wait while our policy-makers drag their heels to put this law into practice.

All countries must prioritize this effort to end forced labor: call on the Government of the United States to adopt this new law immediately.This law — known as Convention 29 supplemented by Protocol of 20141 — creates new responsibilities for governments in the fight against forced labor, the key measures cover:

1. Prevention. Governments are obligated to create national action plans to tackle forced labor and support business to root out and respond to forced labor in their supply chains.

2. Better protection for victims. This includes the safeguarding of vulnerable migrant workers against fraudulent and abusive recruitment practices.

3. Justice. Victims are now protected from prosecution for crimes they may have committed as a direct result of their forced labor.

They also have access to justice, including the ability to claim for compensation for the abuses they have experienced, where they occurred. Our collective voice can keep forced labor on the agenda and ensure swift action by the Government of the United States. Act now!

[1] http://www.walkfree.org/forced-labour/