“Producing in China is commonplace today. Making such investment decisions is a business concern, according to Amnesty International, provided the companies do not become involved in human rights violations. In China, companies are at risk of becoming complicit to the use of forced labour without even knowing. Chinese are put in ‘re-education through labour camps’ on illegitimate grounds and without a fair trial. These camps function, under commercial disguise, as official companies. As such international companies can, when outsourcing its production, using labour camps in its supply chain. In China there are many of these labour camps, known for their exploitative labour conditions.”
Companies can get involved in other forms of forced labour, everywhere around the world. A recent Amnesty publication discloses information around this subject which is often shied away from by national governments. The publication is realised with the help of company representatives who, together with Amnesty International Dutch Section, discussed a publication about forced labour that suits company practice.
With this publication in hand, managers get understanding of the various aspects of forced labour relevant for business. Different forms of forced labour like slavery, prison labour, forced overtime, child labour and trafficking are explained. Followed by an exploration of the judicial framework of forced labour.
Subsequently this publication focusses on company practice. It offers guidance to make sure company policies are sufficient to prevent companies to become (in)directly involved in forced labour and to resolve the problem when this happens. The final chapter gives an extensive list of reccommendations. The subject is illustrated with examples and cases concentrating on sectoral and regional differences.
This publication is the first of a series: The Human Rights and Business Pages. The next issue in this series is about to be launched: Freedom of Association. A working group with company representatives is currently discussing the theme: non-Discrimination.
Hard copies of this publication can be ordered (€ 3 each) at Amnesty International Dutch Section. Send a message to Hilke Molenaar ([url]mailto:h.molenaar@amnesty.nl[link]h.molenaar@amnesty.nl[/url]) with number of copies and postal details. Or ask for a free PDF version.