Despite the widespread belief that forced labor is a thing of the past, it now manifests itself in various forms the world over. The ILO estimates that 24.9 million people, 4.3 million of whom are children, are in forced labor, and that women and girls are disproportionately affected.

But do we really know what forced labor is and whom it affects? Would we recognize victims if our paths crossed? Are parliamentarians aware of the key role they can and should play to combat this scourge?

This handbook responds to these questions with facts, figures and real-life examples. It outlines the practical measures and actions that Parliamentarians can take, such as: enacting legislation; adopting budgets; the exercise of your oversight over the actions of governments; and, importantly by ratifying and implementing the 2014 ILO Forced Labor Protocol, with its provisions aimed at preventing forced labor, protecting victims and ensuring access to justice and remedies.

Read the handbook here.