This page presents all relevant good practice case studies that showcase how business have addressed the Forced labour dilemma. Case studies have been developed in close collaboration with a range of multi-national companies and relevant government, inter-governmental and civil society stakeholders. We also draw on public domain sources, including the UN Global Compact's own published Communications on Progress through which signatories are required to report on their performance against the Ten Principles.
The case studies explore the specific dilemmas and challenges faced by each organisation, good practice actions they have taken to resolve them and the results of such action. We reference challenges as well as achievements and invite you to submit commentary and suggestions through the Forum.
IN-DEPTH (Print seperately) Responsible Cotton Network: Combating forced child labour in Uzbekistan
IN-DEPTH (Print seperately) ICC: Combating slave labour in the Brazilian charcoal and steel sector
ISO 26000 Draft Guidelines: Address social and environmental issues - Global
Developed by the International Organisation on Standardisation, the ISO 26000 Draft Guidelines include a wide range of issues, including governance, environment, human rights and labour practices. One of the guidelines is a prohibition on the use of forced labour. This voluntary standard is not meant for use in certification, but rather provides guidance on a wide range of issues. Ninety-two countries and 42 organisations have participated in the process of developing ISO 26000, through their status as liaison organisations. The draft Guidelines are expected to be finalised in 2010.
ITUC: Plan of Action to combat forced labour - Global
In 2007, the International Trade Union Congress (ITUC) General Council adopted a Plan of Action for a Global Trade Union Alliance against Forced Labour and Trafficking to last between 2008 and 2010. The Plan identifies key areas for on-going work and calls on trade unions to document, identify and publicly highlight cases of forced labour; to integrate migrant and informal workers into their work, and to provide direct support to people who have been the victims of forced labour. The ITUC Plan also calls on trade unions to work to raise awareness of forced labour. The ITUC Plan also makes recommendations for governments and employers organisations.
CEC-ILO: Preventing Forced Labour and Trafficking in Persons - China
In early 2009, the ILO and the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) launched a voluntary Code of Practice which is drawn from Chinese legislation and regulations, ILO Conventions and recommendations and other sources. The Code of Practice includes guidelines for implementation, grievance mechanisms and workplace monitoring.
US Department of State: Identifying countries involved in trafficking - US
In June 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched a report which lists the 174 countries involved in trafficking and forced labour. The Annual Trafficking in Persons Report focuses on prevention, protection and prosecution. The issues covered include: forced labour, bonded labour, forced child labour and debt bondage among migrant workers. The report assesses how governments are addressing trafficking.
Verite: Research and engagement on labour brokers - Asia and US
Verite is conducting research on how exploitive labour broker practices contribute to the use of forced child labour in the garment sector of Tirupur, India; Filipino workers in the electronics sector of Malaysia and Taiwan; and Asian workers in the U.S. agricultural sector. Funded by Humanity United, the project aims to engage with companies in implementing strategies to identify and eliminate exploitive labour broker practices from their supply chains in order to minimise the risk of forced labour.
IFC: Identifying Performance Standards - Global
In 2006, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, developed Performance Standards which include a ban on the use of forced labour. The IFC has issued a policy statement on forced labour and harmful child labour. Under this policy: “IFC will not support projects that use Forced or Harmful Child Labour as defined by the ILO Convention No. 29, Article 2. The IFC will incorporate the necessary provisions in its contractual documents to implement this policy.” The policy was issued in March 1998. Interim guidance on implementation issues for addressing harmful child labour was made available in July 1999.
ICI: Combating forced child labour in cocoa - Ivory Coast and Ghana
Established in 2002, the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a partnership between NGOs, trade unions, cocoa processors and companies to address forced child labour. Member companies include: Cargill, Hershey’s, Kraft Foods, Mars, Nestle and Toms amongst others. The ICI works at both the national level and the community level to foster programmes to combat and prevent forced child labour. The ICI has implemented programmes in the Ivory Coast and Ghana.
BSCI: Enhancing social conditions among retailers - Global
Business for Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is the broadest business-driven initiative for increasing social compliance in the supply chain. A membership organisation, BSCI has developed the BSCI code which addresses a wide range of supply chain issues, including a prohibition on forced labour and disciplinary measures. Members adopt the BSCI Code internally and require their suppliers to come into compliance. BSCI provides capacity building in the form of training and technical assistance. BSCI also relies on external monitoring to ensure conformance to the BSCI Code. In October 2009, there were 381 brands and retailers participating in BSCI. BSCI is a member of the UN Global Compact.
Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC): Improving working conditions - Global
Founded in 2004, the FFC is a membership organisation of companies seeking to improve working conditions in factories that make consumer goods. The FFC seeks to share compliance data between companies and to improve the availability and standardisation of standards and audits on social, environmental and security standards. Amongst its members are Wal-Mart, Reebok, and Levi Strauss & Co. The FFC receives funding from the US Department of State. Its founders include Reebok, the National Retail Federation and the Retail Council of Canada.
ICMM: Developing principles and assurance mechanism - Global
The International Council on Metals and Mining (ICMM) is a CEO-led initiative that focuses on promoting good practice in the mining and metals sector. Composed of 18 of the world’s largest mining companies and 30 associations, its corporate members include Anglo-American, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Vale, Newmont and Mitsubishi Materials. Members commit to implementing ICMM’s Sustainable Development Framework. The Framework comprises three elements - a set of 10 Principles, supported by public reporting and independent third-party assurance. The Principles were adopted in May 2003. Principle 3 prohibits the use of forced and compulsory labour.
Website: By 
Maplecroft in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact
