The U.S. Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act comes into force
KnowTheChain’s monthly newsletter shares worker perspectives, the latest from the KnowTheChain team, and updates and resources on forced labour in supply chains in the business and human rights sphere.
From workers
A research paper led by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences examines the effectiveness and impact of traceability systems on the labour conditions of workers in the Thai fishing sector. The research examines the effects of labour traceability systems integrated as part of Thai fisheries reforms and how they are perceived by migrant workers. Through document reviews and interviews with 30 migrant workers, boat owners and experts, the research concludes that while reforms have led to major improvements in limiting extreme abuse, they also result in state surveillance as well as costs being passed down to workers. In addition, traceability efforts do not impact the common vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers and have the result of restricting workers’ ability to leave exploitative employment situations.
Forced labour: The latest developments
The US Department of State releases its 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, assessing and ranking risk by country based on a tier system.
The Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act comes into force in the US, requiring companies importing goods from Xinjiang to present “clear and convincing evidence” that they were not produced with forced labour. The Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region calls on companies to avoid re-exporting goods denied entry under the US Act from selling the products in other markets.
As Japan ratifies the ILO Forced Labour Convention, amending relevant domestic law, the country plans to enter into an agreement with the US to create guidelines for infrastructure investment and human rights safeguards in supply chains. Discussions will also seek to address how multinational companies should respond to forced labour and other abuses in global supply chains.
For further news on forced labour in relation to business and human rights see the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre website.
New insights
SOMO launches a toolkit to help communities, workers, and civil society organisations hold companies to account for human rights and environmental harm, and navigate the harmful strategies employed by companies to avoid responsibility.
The Global Unions’ Committee on Workers’ Capital releases its Baseline Expectations for Asset Managers on fundamental labour rights, with the purpose of driving improvements in the policies and practices of global asset managers on fundamental labour rights in investment stewardship.
Fashion Transparency Index 2022 reviews and ranks 250 of the world’s largest fashion brands and retailers on the public disclosure of their human rights and environmental policies, practices, and impacts.
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