Detecting and tackling forced labour in Europe
- Document number
- 2986
- Date
- 2013
- Title
- Detecting and tackling forced labour in Europe
- Author/publisher
- Nick Clark
- Availability
- View/save PDF version of this document
- Document type(s)
- EU law, Guidelines/Recommendations, International Law, Research/Study/Analysis,
- Keywords
- human trafficking, human rights, labour, forced labour, exploitation, Europe
- Summary
Stronger labour market regulation and associated inspection/enforcement powers would make it more likely for forced labour to be detected. This study reveals how nine European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) detected and tackled forced labour. Analysis identified key issues and lessons for the UK.
- Although international measures outlaw forced labour, it occurs in all nine countries and is not always recognised by official bodies.
- Most forced labour is in undeclared or clandestine jobs, but sometimes contributes to prominent companies’ supply chains.
- Housing, healthcare and subsistence support is generally limited and designed with rehabilitation of trafficking victims in mind. These may prove unattractive to workers who need to find another employer.
Recommendations include:
- better information and training on forced labour indicators;
- enlarging relevant inspectorates;
- establishing main contractor liability in areas like construction and agriculture; and
- pursuing unpaid wages and compensation in prosecution cases.