Decent work cannot exist where modern slavery and child labour persist. The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour and the effective abolition of child labour are two of the four Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, on which two of the Labour principles of the United Nations Global Compact are based. Modern slavery is a human rights violation and a crime, yet it is alarmingly widespread.

Forced labour and child labour are more prevalent in some countries and economic sectors, but none
are immune to these abuses.