In a new study on the patterns of forced labour worldwide, the International Labour Office (ILO) says the “opportunity cost” of coercion to the workers affected reaches over USD 20 billion per year. The report, entitled The Cost of Coercion, also details the growing number of unethical, fraudulent and criminal practices that can lead people into situations of forced labour, and calls for increased efforts to eradicate the practices.

The report points out that among the intensified international and national efforts to reduce and prevent forced labour, are new laws and policies at national and regional level as well as a growing provision of social protection for those most at risk of forced labour and trafficking. “Most forced labour is still found in developing countries, often in the informal economy and in isolated regions with poor infrastructure, labour inspection and law enforcement,” the report says. “This can only be tackled through integrated policies and programmes, mixing law enforcement with proactive measures of prevention and protection, and empowering those at risk of forced labour to defend their own rights.”

Main Activities

The launch was followed by an interactive dialogue, titled “The International Standard on the Protection of Domestic Workers: An Integrated Action to Abolish Forced Labour”, focusing on selected Indonesian population groups particularly vulnerable to forced labour, such as domestic workers working in Indonesia and abroad. The dialogue, in collaboration with SmartFM Network, a leading radio station, will be live broadcast in five provinces: Jakarta, Medan, Makassar, Balikpapan, and Semarang.

Objectives

• To examine the gaps in the protection of vulnerable population groups from forced labour and trafficking, and will highlight the significance of the planned ILO international labour convention for domestic workers.
• To discuss and pinpoint the priorities for action by the Indonesian Government and other stakeholders against forced labour and trafficking of vulnerable population groups.

Participants

National stakeholder representatives from the Indonesian Government, independent Human Rights Commissions, trade union confederations, employers’ organizations, national and international organizations, and mass media will participate in the discussion as resource persons and participants.