FORCED LABOUR Leveraging Against State-Imposed Human Rights Abuse Forced labour is often associated with exploitation of workers in private sector supply chains. It is an age-old issue, linked to slavery and patterns of economic exploitation, that has seen a resurgence in recent times. Companies may also be directly or indirectly associated with compulsory labour or other human rights abuses imposed by governments. Previously, the forced mobilisation of public sector employees to work on cotton farms in Uzbekistan was widely reported. More recently, allegations of North Korean labour in Chinese factories producing personal protective equipment have raised concerns about linkages with procurement by governments around the world. One case in particular rose to prominence in 2020, with research connecting vast networks of “political education camps” in China’s Xinjiang region to the supply chains of 82 well-known global brands. In response, over 200 organisations spanning 36 countries issued a call to action pressuring brands and retailers to exit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, based on evidence of widespread forced labour. Human rights organisations and investors filed a petition urging the US Customs and Border Patrol to prohibit imports of all cotton-made goods linked to Xinjiang. Company and industry responses include public statements condemning forced labour, and pledges to undertake due diligence of suppliers in and outside of Xinjiang, as well as commitments to suspend activities and cease relationships associated with Uyghur labour. In recent weeks, major business associations have called for new joint efforts to address this situation. The persecution of Uyghurs extends well beyond Xinjiang, and beyond the risk of forced labour in & Human Rights 2021 Business Top 10 Issues supply chains. It includes mass surveillance, arbitrary detention and torture of individuals, forced separation of children from parents, and enforced disappearances and killings, among other violations. “ Tracking supply chains and tracing products and materials linked to such forms of exploitation might help preserve the integrity of brands, but systematic, stateimposed abuses will require a broader joint strategy from companies, governments, investors and human rights groups. ” While the responses and commitments seen in 2020 are welcome, they are not enough. Tracking supply chains and tracing products and materials linked to such forms of exploitation might help preserve the integrity of brands, but systematic, state-imposed abuses will require a broader joint strategy from companies, governments, investors and human rights groups. The year ahead must see more effective strategies including targeted state-to-state engagement and collaborative partnerships involving all relevant actors. Responses should also prioritise renewed calls for universal ratification of the ILO Forced Labour Conventions and Protocol, increased use of ILO monitoring mechanisms and other forums to report abuses, as well as increased transparency in due diligence processes, and restricting trade of commodities and goods produced with forced labour. Institute for Human Rights and Business 15