In her welcoming address, Judith Vorbach, Head of Office at AK EUROPA, emphasised that there should always be a focus on the consequences of economic and trade policy on global social and environmental standards and, above all, on human rights. This was followed by a slide show with images of forced labour, presented by Lieve Verboven, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office to the European Union and the Benelux countries. She said that forced labour often takes place hidden away, which is why the ILO, together with the NGO "Human Resources Without Borders" (RHSF) and with the support of "Cartooning for Peace", had organised a cartoon competition to give the issue more visibility. Some of the works submitted were compiled into an exhibition entitled "Through their eyes. Visions of forced labour".

EU ban on products from forced labour must be negotiated quickly
Samira Rafaela (MEP and co-rapporteur, RENEW) began her keynote speech by emphasising that the relevant Committees of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of prohibiting products from forced labour on the Union market on 16 October 2023. She drew particular attention to the situation of Uyghurs in China and called for improvements to the Commission Proposal. Samira Rafaela appealed to the Council to step up the pace of negotiations. The aim is to adopt the Regulation before the European Parliament elections in June 2024.

Improvements to the Commission proposal necessary
In the panel discussion, Ben Vanpeperstraete, Senior Advisor at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), addressed the issue of the burden of proof for the existence of forced labour. In the EU Commission proposal, the burden of proof lies with the authorities, but it would be better to place the onus on companies. The EU Parliament has made improvements here but limited to cases of state-imposed forced labour.

Thomas Wagnsonner, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and rapporteur on the Commission Proposal, explained the content of the EESC opinion. The EESC calls for improvements to the Commission Proposal, in particular remediation for forced labourers and an easing of the burden of proof on the authorities.

Host Sarah Bruckner, AK EUROPA, concluded by asking about the relationship between the ban on products from forced labour and the EU Supply Chain Act (CSDDD). The panellists unanimously answered the question by saying that these are two complementary legal proposals, both of which are urgently needed.

What is the next step?
Loris Matarelli, advisor for the Belgian EU Presidency 2024 in the cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs and Labour, emphasised that the aim of the uocoming Belgian Council Presidency is to achieve an ambitious Council position (general approach) on the proposed regulation. The topic is a top priority for the Belgian Council Presidency.

Further information:
AK EUROPA: 75 years Universal Declaration of Human Rights – How to end forced labour?
EU Commission: Proposal for Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
EU Parliament: Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
EWSA: Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prohibiting products made with forced labour in the Union market’
AK EUROPA Position Paper: Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
AK EUROPA: Open letter to INTA & IMCO committee
AK EUROPA: European Parliament votes for effective ban on products from forced labour