Treaties Committee supports ratification of Protocol to Forced Labour Convention

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Federal Government ratifies the International Labour Organization Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention.

Committee Chair Dave Sharma MP said, "The Protocol aims to address gaps in the existing forced labour conventions 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 acknowledged that notwithstanding the progress being made to address forced labour, there was further work to be done, and was also  encouraged to see the detail of future action in the Australian Government’s National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25.

In addition, Mr Sharma said, the committee was of the view that if a significant proportion of entities reporting under the Modern Slavery Act continued 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.

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