The International Labour Organization has had a prolonged and admirable war waged against forced labour. Despite the long war against forced labour, recent statistics published by the ILO itself paints a horrifying picture. The statistics disclose that right now, roughly 21 million people’s lives are exploited because of forced labour across the world. This piece is, however, not about the present condition of the world’s labour force but the ILO’s track record at attempting to curb this menace and gross human rights violation.

ILO's initial steps

The first traces of ILO’s stand against labour exploitation and forced labour can be seen in the history books when ILO adopted the 29th Convention in 1930. This was an epoch when forced labour was generally associated with the colonial exploits of the British Empire. Although there were other countries which either encouraged forced labour or practised it directly, colonial contribution to this practice was overwhelming. The 29th Convention did a decent job at introducing the narrative with force, without restricting the definition of forced labour to a few numbered characteristics. The definition, due to its non-exhaustive character, continued to include all kinds of forced labour, whether it be in the private sector or the public sector. Convention 105 was adopted in the year 1957, which advanced the previously adopted Convention 29 with addition to requiring immediate abolition of forced labour in five particular instances by the state for its economic upbringing. These two Conventions do not stand alone when it comes to ILO’s efforts. A list of other conventions, declarations and recommendations have played a significant role in the elimination of forced labour. It is also important to take note of the multifarious international and local instruments extraneous of the ILO that have been contributory to this on-going mission’s success. These instruments have helped recognize parallel missions against similar violations such as human trafficking and debt bondage as necessary amalgamation with the mission to abolish compulsory labour. Even though this view of amalgamation with other missions proved to be useful, there have been gaps in terms of implementation and additional measures were called upon to combat the evolving forms of forced labour.

Recent developments

This constant vigilance resulted in the 2012 International Labour Conference which called on the International Labour Office to conduct a detailed study and analysis of primary data to ascertain gaps in the existing standards. The purpose for a call for this detailed analysis was to find out whether there was a need for the standard settings to complement ILO’s Conventions aimed at victim protection and solatium and to address human trafficking for compulsory labour. The International Labour Office’s Governing Body decided to organize a tripartite meeting of professionals and experts who were required to render with recommendations on fresh and innovative standards which would be discussed in the International Labour Conference of June 2014.

This 103rd Session held in 2014 took place in Geneva where the ‘ILC Committee on Forced Labour’ decided to push for a vote on the adoption of a binding Protocol to Convention 29, supplemented by an ILO recommendation. On 11th June 2014, the third major instrument was voted upon that was aimed at strengthening global efforts to end all forms of forced labour. 437 votes were supporting the proposal with 8 against and 27 members abstaining to vote.