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

Media release issue date: Thursday, 31 March 2022

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 For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page. [1] Forced Labour Convention, 1930; Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957.