ILO hails China's move to ratify 2 forced labour conventions

Ratification of these two instruments, classified as Fundamental Conventions, will bring the total number of ILO conventions ratified by China to 28, including six of the eight Fundamental Conventions.

By approving these ratifications, China reinforces its commitment to eliminate all forms of forced labour within its jurisdiction, realise work in freedom for its 1.4 billion people, and respect ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work, ILO said in a press release.

Convention No. 29 prohibits the use of forced labour in all its forms and requires state parties to make forced labour practices punishable as penal offences. This instrument is supplemented by convention No. 105, which specifically calls for the immediate abolition of forced or compulsory labour in five specific circumstances listed in its article 1.

These conventions will enter into force in China a year after their instruments of ratification are deposited with ILO.

“I expect theses ratifications to create renewed momentum and further efforts by the government and the social partners in China to support human-centred development and decent work in the second largest economy in the world, in line with the ILO Centenary Declaration on the future of work ,” ILO director general Guy Ryder said.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)