FTS and Partners Urge G7 to Take Action Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains

On June 13, 2022, Free the Slaves joined 20 civil society organizations, survivors, and academics in urging the G7 to adopt new measures in ensuring forced labor is eradicated from the global supply chain. The leaders of these prosperous countries have the resources and collective voice necessary to enact concrete steps that would protect those in forced labor, children, and marginalized groups. We strongly urge these nations to take four attainable steps forward, and end the use of forced labor.

Please join us in advocating for concrete and noticeable change.

The full letter is as follows:

June 13, 2022

Dear G7 Leaders,

Last year, G7 Leaders stood united in expressing deep concern about the use of forced labor in global supply chains. We applaud the work of G7 Trade Ministers in making clear the G7's collective resolve to take specific steps to protect individuals from human trafficking and forced labor.

Since the 2021 G7 meetings, the world has watched in horror as Russia illegally and unjustly invaded Ukraine. In addition to threatening the lives and livelihoods of all Ukrainian people, President Putin's assault also jeopardizes global food supplies, unsettles energy markets, disrupts supply chains, and has caused the largest movement of people in Europe since World War II. Recent estimates indicate that more than 12 million people, mostly women and children, have fled their homes since the beginning of Russia's invasion with nearly half seeking safety outside Ukraine.

The risks facing people on the move are well known. With limited access to support networks, basic resources, and livelihood opportunities, refugees face significant risks of exploitation. Research from past conflicts demonstrates that human traffickers prey on refugees in a myriad of ways. Using coercive tactics such as promising access to food, shelter, and other basic necessities, as well as misleading opportunities for employment, traffickers target and take advantage of refugees' vulnerabilities, exploiting them under false pretenses. A recent study from the Freedom Fund and La Strada International specifically highlighted significant concerns about refugee women's vulnerability to labor exploitation.

As the threat of exploitation facing people on the move and other vulnerable populations increases, it is more important than ever for G7 leaders to reaffirm their commitment to addressing forced labor around the world and begin to take significant, coordinated action. In last year's G7 communique, the leaders committed to action; it is now imperative that when G7 leaders meet in Germany in June, discussions about how to address human trafficking, child labor and forced labor are on the agenda.

As leaders of the most prosperous nations in the world, the G7 must demonstrate that forced labor has no place in global markets. In addition, specific action must be taken to address the exploitation of refugees, displaced people and other highly vulnerable populations, such as migrant and informal workers, women, children and other marginalized groups. These populations must also be meaningfully included in the development of solutions, and their experience and leadership should be recognized and honored.

To reaffirm its commitment to eradicating forced labor and exploitation, we call on the G7 to take these four specific, attainable steps:

1. Follow through on a commitment made by Trade Ministers in 2021 to convene a technical discussion to share data and evidence and develop recommendations based on best practices to prevent, identify, and eliminate forced labor in global supply chains. Survivor leaders and representatives of labor and human rights organizations should be prioritized for inclusion in this discussion.

2. Affirm that any future trade agreement, trade preference program or other trade tool employed by a G7 country contains provisions specifically prohibiting the use of forced labor and requiring respect for fundamental rights, such as the right to work and freedom of association found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These should also require minimum compliance standards, including due diligence criteria, for the elimination of human trafficking and forced labor which include prohibiting and punishing these acts. G7 nations should also provide support to lower income trading partners to help achieve these standards and facilitate trade free of forced labor.

3. Commit new financial resources to addressing human trafficking and forced labor, including the commitment of resources to assist people who have been victimized by forced labor or human trafficking in global supply chains.

4. Harmonize minimum legal and regulatory standards to address forced labor across the G7 and adopt new legislative frameworks as necessary. Such harmonization should include all members prohibiting the import, export or internal sale of goods and merchandise made or transported wholly or in part by forced labor, and mandating companies operating in their jurisdiction conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their operations and supply chains, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. To support the principle of mutual recognition of forced labor prohibitions, G7 members should commit to creating and strengthening mechanisms for robust information and data sharing as well as the development of common criteria and methods based on best practices.

Sincerely,

Kristen Abrams
Senior Director, Combatting Human Trafficking, the McCain at Arizona State University

Chris Ash
Program Manager, National Survivor Network Ambassador (ret.)

Luis C.deBaca
Professor from Practice, University of Michigan Law School

Catherine Chen
CEO, Polaris

Joanna Ewart-James
Executive Director, Freedom United

Grace Forrest
Founding Director, Walk Free

Christian Guy
CEO, Justice and Care

Carolyn Kitto
Director, Be Slavery Free

Anju Kozono
Project Coordinator, Human Rights Now

Leigh LaChapelle
Associate Director of Survivor Advocacy, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

Tove van Lennep
Head of Communications and Relationships, Arise Foundation

Shawn MacDonald
CEO, Verité

Jasmine O'Connor, OBE
CEO, Anti-Slavery International

Masako Ota
Chief of Advocacy, Action Against Child Exploitation (ACE)

Sophie Otiende
CEO, Global Fund to End Modern Slavery

Philippe Sion
Managing Director, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, Humanity United Action

Martina Vandenberg
Founder and President, The Human Trafficking Legal Center

Dan Vexler
Interim CEO, The Freedom Fund

Andrew Wallis, OBE
CEO, Unseen

Bukeni Waruzi
Executive Director, Free the Slaves

Peter Williams
Principle Advisor, Modern Slavery, International Justice Mission