Increasing customs seizures of goods purportedly made using forced labour
KnowTheChain’s monthly newsletter shares worker perspectives, the latest from the KnowTheChain team, and updates and resources on forced labor in supply chains in the business and human rights sphere.
From Workers
Listen to a series of interviews with labour leaders organising in global supply chains launched by The Labor Link. In one episode, Sawit Kaewwan from the State Enterprises Relations Confederation, Thailand, explains the important role trade unions play in preventing forced labour and human trafficking in the seafood industry, sharing vital perspectives.
Don’t just treat migrant fishers as victims, allow them to organize and bargain collectively.
Sawit Kaewwan and 12 of his colleagues from the State Railways Union of Thailand are at a critical point, facing criminal charges for their organising, making the need to protect such rights ever-more pressing.
Forced Labour: Recent Developments
The Canada Border Service Agency seized a shipment of women’s and children’s clothing from China due to concerns they were made with forced labour, marking its first such interception.
US Customs and Border Protection prohibits Smart Glove imports citing reasonable evidence indicating forced labour while the company says that it opposes forced labour.
This Amnesty report details how the introduction of legal reforms in the run-up to the Qatar World Cup in November 2022 have not delivered on their promise to end labour abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. It alleges that migrant workers’ rights have been progressively eroded with old abusive practices being carried out, undermining reforms.
For further news on forced labour in relation to business and human rights see the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre website.
Resources
Join Electronics Watch for its Freedom of Association Virtual Summit.
Better Buying’s 2021 Purchasing Practices Index finds that repeat subscribers improve their purchasing practices and increase the resiliency of their supply chains in the face of uncertainty due to the impacts of Covid-19.
A report from investor group, Platform Living Wage Financials, presents the outcomes of 54 living wage assessments that it conducted for investee companies, identifying key outcomes for the garment, footwear, food, agriculture and retail sectors. The report shares industry best practices and looks ahead to what is needed to accelerate the adoption of living wages globally.
Wikirate’s study of the top 100 apparel companies presents information on companies’ supply chain transparency and ESG data, revealing a lack of reporting on key environmental, social, and governance indicators.
View past issues of our newsletter in our Newsletter Archive.