forced labour: a labour market phenomenon in europe
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Forced labour: a labour market phenomenon in Europe. Nick Clark Working Lives Research Institute. Nine country study. The research. a review of academic and grey literature; analysis of the available data on forced labour and informal labour markets; - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Forced labour: a labour market phenomenon in Europe
Nick ClarkWorking Lives Research Institute
Nine country study
Country report & case studies Organisation Partners
France WLRI Nick Clark
Civic Forum Nicholas Bell (case study)
Germany WLRI Dr. Janroj Keles
Ireland WLRI Prof Sonia McKay
Italy University Ca’ Foscari, Venice Fabio Perocco
Latvia University of Latvia, Riga Aija Lulle
Netherlands Raboud University, Nijmigen/Tilburg University
Dr Mijke HouwerzjilDr Connie Rijken
Poland - Weronika Kloc-Nowak
Spain Gabinet d’Estudi Socials, Barcelona
Xavier VallvéPaolo Leotti
Sweden Goteborg & Linkoping Universities
Christer ThorqvistProf Charles Woolfson
The research
• a review of academic and grey literature; • analysis of the available data on forced
labour and informal labour markets;• analysis of the context of forced labour as
perceived by government, employers and the media;
• a case study from each country.
Europe’s record
• “Conscious of its spiritual and moral heritage, the Union is founded on the indivisible universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity” (Preamble to the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights)
• ILO estimates 880,000 workers in Europe subject to forced labour (20% sexual exploitation, 70% labour exploitation) (ILO 2012)
Forced labour: European context - back then or over there
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=forced+labour&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=D7E&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_BLsUOC0Bu2R0QXpm4C4AQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1253&bih=864
Sectors:• Domestic service• Construction• Agriculture• Hospitality• Cleaning• Food manufacturing & processing• Textiles & clothinglooking where forced labour occurs, or
finding because looking?
Migration & forced labour
Migration & forced labour
Migration & forced labour
china
Migration & forced labour
• Countries of origin both EU and non-EU • Home country nationals amongst both
exploitative employers and exploited workers
Employment offences
• Unpaid wages• Excessive hours• Oppressive
control/supervision/management• Undeclared or undocumented work
(documents include contracts and payslips)
Case studies
• Mobilising for regularisation of building workers in northern Italy - super exploitation as a business model for construction industry
• Supporting struggle for pay of berry pickers in Sweden – system of regulation by collective agreement leaves these workers unprotected
Case studies
• Litigation over status of seasonal agricultural workers in France – “seasonal worker” immigration status led to exposure to repeated abuse of workers over extended periods
Some findings
• European governments approach forced labour solely as element of trafficking. Immigration controls and punishing perpetrators take precedence over protecting employment or human rights of those subjected to forced labour
• Criminal sanctions may be deployed, but if this prevents or delays redress, workers may decline to participate in proceedings
• Lack of purposeful detection, illustrated by absence of excessive working hours acting as a trigger.
Some findings
• Specific problems in enforcing rights: doctrine of illegality, right to act on behalf of workers
• Self activity by workers noted in most countries (demonstrations, marches, strikes, litigation) – responding rapidly with support essential for trade unions & NGOs wishing to combat forced labour