Vulnerable populations in rural and urban areas are victims of forced labor in Brazil and Peru. They endure abusive working conditions, debt bondage, deception, intimidation and threats, and restriction of movement, among other unlawful labor practices. Some victims of forced labor have been rescued from forced-labor conditions within agricultural supply chains or manufacturing businesses with domestic and global reach. The Consolidating and Disseminating Efforts To Combat Forced Labor in Brazil and Peru project works with governmental institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to strengthen their capacity to address forced labor at all levels. In Brazil, the project supports Mato Grosso state’s Integrated Action program to assist forced-labor victims, while in Peru, the project helps the Peruvian government implement forced-labor policies through exchange activities between Brazil and Peru.

This ILO project is the manifestation of the Government of Colombia’s commitment in the Action Plan to seek the cooperation, advice, and technical assistance of the ILO to help in Action Plan implementation. In support of this commitment, USDOL has awarded the ILO $10.32 million to develop a robust presence in Colombia that, specifically, engages in a variety of direct technical assistance activities.

Project Objective: Contribute to the elimination of child labor in El Salvador, in particular the worst forms.

Development Objective: To reduce the number of children working in exploitive conditions in Bolivia by increasing their enrollment in educational activities, reducing their hours of work or removing them from exploitive work, assisting families with increased livelihood opportunities, and promoting economic empowerment among communities. The project will develop its strategies in conjunction with indigenous organizations and work within the framework of indigenous cultural values, organizational structure and language.

Better Work is a comprehensive program that brings together all levels of the apparel industry to improve working conditions and respect of labor rights for workers, while boosting the competitiveness of apparel businesses. As a result of their participation with Better Work, export apparel factories in Haiti have improved compliance with labor law including issues of compensation, contracts, occupational safety and health and working time. By enhancing working conditions, Better Work Haiti increases the factories’ productivity and profitability.