Norway Ratification Clinches World Efforts to Eradicate Modern Slavery

Geneva, 18 November 2015 (ILO)* – Norway has become the second country, after Niger, to ratify the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention .

“Norway’s ratification will help millions of children, women and men reclaim their freedom and dignity. It represents a strong call to other member States to renew their commitment to protect forced labourers, where ever they may be,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

In 2014, government, employer and worker delegates at the International Labour Conference (ILC) voted overwhelmingly to adopt a Protocol and Recommendation  which supplement the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).

The Protocol complements the existing Forced Labour Convention (1930) , adding new measures including provisions on prevention, protection and access to justice, as well as requiring public and private employers to exercise “due diligence” to avoid modern slavery in their business practices and supply chains.

Commenting on his country’s role in bringing the protocol into force, Norway’s Ambassador to the United Nations and other international organizations Steffen Kongstad, said:

The ILO estimates that 21 million people  are victims of forced labour around the world, generating approximately US$150 billion a year in illicit profits.

ILO research  shows that forced labour is not an issue solely in developing economies.

To promote ratification of the Protocol, the ILO has launched a new global campaign to end modern slavery, in partnership with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Norway also ratified the Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183)  and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) .

Norway has a strong record of support for ILO conventions. In 1932, Norway ratified the Forced Labour Convention of 1930  and in 1958 it ratified the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (105) .