The ILO's special action programme to combat forced labour

Forced or compulsory labour is a complex and changing problem, and the effective elimination of all its forms a major and long-term challenge. But this task also represents an opportunity for the ILO, and for the international human rights and development communities as a whole: unless concerted action is taken to address the plight of millions of trafficked, bonded and forced labourers around the world, it will simply not be possible to eradicate poverty. There are many signs that the world is ready for an integrated approach to the elimination of forced labour, whereby the ILO's normative approach is complemented with practical technical and financial assistance to member States.