Products made with forced labor will be banned from now on in all European Union (EU) states. “Today, worldwide, 28 million people are held captive by human traffickers and states that force them to work for little or no pay,” European officials recalled.
Products made with forced labor will be banned in the EU
On Tuesday 23 April 2024, the European Parliament (EP) introduced new rules banning the sale and transport of goods made with forced labor in the EU. If a product is suspected of being made under these conditions, it will not be able to be marketed in the EU. Transports will be stopped at the borders. Preliminary investigations must be completed within a maximum of 30 working days.
The move came amid human rights concerns in China’s Xinjiang. In 2021, the US implemented a similar law to protect the market from products possibly made by violating human rights in Xinjiang. China is accused of genocide against the Uyghurs. China denies the allegations, being a major global supplier of cotton and solar panel materials.
“Today, worldwide, 28 million people are held captive by human traffickers and states that force them to work for little or no pay.
Europe cannot export its goods while importing products made with forced labour. The fact that the EU finally has a law banning these products is one of the biggest achievements of this mandate,” said Maria-Manuel Leitao-Marques, Portuguese member of the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Parliament.
The EP voted the law with an overwhelming majority of 555 votes FOR, six votes AGAINST and 45 abstentions. However, it still requires the approval of EU member states to be implemented, a final step that is usually a formality. EU member states are required to implement the law within three years.
The EU promotes decent work in all sectors and policy areas
The EU supports decent work in all sectors and policy areas. It has a global approach covering workers in the domestic market, in third countries and in international supply chains. This includes essential labor standards such as the elimination of forced labour.
The Global Decent Work Communication, presented in February 2022, sets out the internal and external strategies the EU is taking to implement decent work globally, including through international partnerships, trade, neighborhood policies, EU enlargement, combating human trafficking and procurement public. The EU is actively involved in tackling decent work issues, including forced labour, in international organizations such as the International Labor Organisation, the G7 and the World Trade Organisation.
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