Human trafficking thrives in times of crisis and uncertainty, when the needs of the most vulnerable among us are often overlooked. Congress recently passed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), H.R. 748. Lawmakers are already at work on a fourth major legislative package (“Phase Four”) to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The CARES Act provided significant new resources for education, early care, housing, nutrition, and services; however, it fell short in some significant ways. Due to underlying vulnerabilities, those most at risk of, and victim to, human trafficking and labor exploitation will experience disproportionate impacts as a result of COVID-19 in the short, medium, and long-term. As a result, the current funds allocated for human trafficking services and prevention are insufficient to protect the marginalized from sexual abuse and severe labor exploitation. Low-wage workers, including documented and undocumented immigrants; runaway and homeless youth; those fleeing domestic violence. and sexual assault; and previously identified victims of human trafficking who need ongoing support and access to additional resources are being left behind. Notably, the legislation to date has failed to provide support to immigrant workers, including undocumented workers, many of whom are providing essential services but are at greater risk for forced labor and other forms of human trafficking during this pandemic.

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Guidance on operational practice & indicators of forced labour
Guidance

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates on its website that at least 21 million people worldwide are victims offorced labour. Of these, the ILO finds 14.2 million (or 68 per cent) are victims of forced labour exploitatio...Read More

Ripped at the Seams: RMG Sector Workers during a Global Pandemic
COVID-19 resources

This policy brief presents findings from a rapid assessment conducted to assess the multi-faceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on RMG sector workers in India and Bangladesh. The research has an emphasis on the increased risk of forced labor amon...Read More

Review of the Nestlé Palm Oil Upstream Supply Chain Management Program in Malaysia and Indonesia
Guidance

In recent years, labour practices in the palm oil sector in Southeast Asia have drawn significant attention from both media and civil society actors. In June 2018, Nestlé began a partnership with Verité on a multiyear program to improve ...Read More

Modern Slavery in Supply Chains Reporting Requirement
Guidance

The Law Council considers that the Government’s proposal, Attorney- General Department’s "Modern Slavery in Supply Chains Reporting Requirement: Public Consultation Paper and Regulation Impact Statement", requires two important changes if it is ...Read More

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