The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Government ratifies the International Labour Organization Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention.
Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma MP said “the Protocol aims to address gaps in the existing forced labour conventions [1] to combat the evolving nature of forced labour.”
“The Committee is of the view forced labour should, without exception, be outlawed and notes Australia is already in compliance with the obligations established by the Protocol. Australia’s commitment to eliminating forced labour is clear and unequivocal.”
The Committee agreed ratification of the Protocol would enhance Australia’s standing in the international community and ability to address the practices authoritatively, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Committee acknowledges that notwithstanding the progress being made to address forced labour, there is further work to be done, and is encouraged to see the detail of future action in the Australian Government’s National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25.
In addition, the Committee is of the view that if a significant proportion of entities reporting under the Modern Slavery Act continue to miss mandatory reporting requirements, the Australian Government should consider steps beyond the current approach of educating and encouraging relevant entities.
The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.
Media inquiries
Ms Jodie Mathews, Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP
02 9327 3988
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4002
jsct@aph.gov.au
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[1] Forced Labour Convention, 1930; Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957.
