The context
Forced labour remains one of the most severe global human rights challenges, but businesses must consider that not all forms of forced labour are the same, and they can’t be addressed with a one-size-fits-all approach.
While much of the focus is on private actor abuses in supply chains, state-imposed forced labour (SIFL) – where governments directly force people to work under threat or coercion – is often overlooked. Effectively addressing all forms of forced labour requires acknowledging and responding to both private and state-driven forms of exploitation.
The series
This publication is the first in a two-part series aimed at helping businesses address SIFL risks within their supply chains. The paper explains what SIFL is, how it manifests, how it is reflected within international regulatory frameworks, and why it demands urgent attention from businesses – not just as a human rights imperative but as a growing corporate risk in an increasingly regulated world.
Read the full report here: https://globalrightscompliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1742983094552.pdf.