Welcome to Governing Forced Labour and Modern Slavery in Labour and Supply Chains. (project objectives, timeline, funding, key researchers). We also hope that this site can provide students, researchers, and the general public with helpful information, resources, and tools that sharpen their understanding of the various governance mechanisms in place to regulate modern slavery and forced labour, both in Canada and abroad.
Before diving into the various resources provided, here is some helpful information to contextualize the issue of forced labour and modern slavery as it stands.
I. THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
Modern slavery and forced labour have risen to prominence on the global governance agenda; in 2016, the UN announced Target 8.7 of its Sustainable Development goals, which is to eradicate modern slavery, forced labour and the worst forms of child labour by 2030. In 2017, the ILO estimated that 16 million men and women work in conditions of forced labour in the private economy. Researchers who study supply chains have investigated the role of forced labour in sustaining the functioning of globally integrated circuits of production.
II. WHY MODERN SLAVERY LAWS ARE NEEDED
(Because of the fragmentation of production across national borders, unequal power relations and global competition.)
III. NOMENCLATURE
(Relationship between human trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery. Ordinary language.)
