Forced labour is when a person enters (or provides) work or service against their freedom of choice, and cannot leave it without penalty or the threat of penalty.

Forced labour is a serious violation of human rights that may be present in your supply chains. Despite companies’ commitment against its use, at least 12.3 million people are in forced labour globally, of which 80% are exploited by private agents*. This page highlights some questions that you and your company should ask in relation to workers in your supply chains to help you identify their vulnerability to forced labour and understand why addressing forced labour is relevant to your business. It is not intended to be exhaustive, as methods employed to exploit workers constantly change and adapt.

Please click on a question to read how it relates to forced labour:

1. Do workers feel free to refuse overtime?
2. Did migrant workers pay a fee to get a job outside their hometown or country? What are the terms of repayment?
3. Do workers retain complete control over their personal documents or have free access to them, if they are kept by their employer?
4. Are workers paid on time, directly and in legal tender? Do they have payslips that accurately detail the hours they have worked and the rates which they are paid?
5. Do you know who the workers are when you or your suppliers subcontract work? Are you aware of all subcontracting in your supply chain?
6. Is prison labour used in the production of your goods?

When forced labour is identified in your supply chains, it is essential to act responsibly and support workers’ transition to decent work.

Steps that companies should take to prevent forced labour include:

• establish a clear company policy that sets out measures to prevent forced labour
• train social auditors to look for and investigate possible signs of forced labour
• establish a confidential, anonymous workers’ complaints mechanism
• hold internal discussions with buyers to review purchasing practices
• encourage suppliers to disclose details of their sub-contractors so working conditions can be monitored
• investigate recruitment procedures for workers employed through agents.

For further guidance on good practice please refer to the following sources of information:

• Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
  
• Ethical Trading Initiative  
• International Labour Organization
• International Organisation of Employers
• International Trade Union Confederation
• Traidcraft

This page is now available in a leaflet format, for copies please email info@antislavery.org. The text was developed by Anti-Slavery International and produced in consultation with the Ethical Trading Initiative, with funding from the Department for International Development.