The European Parliament is proposing a new legislation framework to investigate the use of forced labor in companies’ supply chains. If it is proven that a company has used forced labor, all import and export of the related goods would be halted at the European Union (EU)’s borders. Companies would also have to withdraw goods that have already reached the EU market. These goods would then be donated, recycled or destroyed.
The Internal Market and International Trade committees adopted the draft report on Oct. 16, with 66 votes for, zero against and 10 abstentions. The committees also proposed that goods that have been removed from the market can be reintroduced only after the company has demonstrated it has stopped using forced labor in its operations or supply chain and addressed any relevant cases. After the vote, co-rapporteur Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques reminded that 27.5 million workers worldwide suffer from forced labor. Banning forced labor will prevent this form of modern slavery while also protecting companies that respect the rules from unfair competition, added Leitão-Marques.
