Overview

With the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR), the EU joins a growing number of jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, and Mexico, that prohibit the import of goods made with forced labour. Other countries are considering similar legislation or are under international obligations to adopt comparable measures. These developments are increasingly shaping global supply chain governance and could have significant implications for producer countries and workers across the Asia-Pacific region.

While forced labour import bans have the potential to drive meaningful improvements in business practices and strengthen efforts to address forced labour risks, their local impact remains uncertain. Increased scrutiny from international buyers may incentivise companies to improve due diligence and working conditions. At the same time, there are concerns that companies may disengage from high-risk suppliers, sectors, or regions without ensuring remediation for affected workers and communities. Civil society organisations and worker representatives may also face both new opportunities and additional challenges in using these measures to advance labour rights and accountability.

This session will explore how forced labour import bans are affecting supply chains and ask how implementation may support meaningful, rights-based outcomes for supply chain workers. Join us to discuss the role of civil society and frontline organisations in ensuring that trade measures contribute to prevention, remedy, and systemic change.

The interactive panel will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with forced labour import bans and related regulations. Discussions will examine the potential benefits of these measures — including stronger corporate accountability, improved due diligence, and enhanced worker protections — as well as possible unintended consequences, such as irresponsible supplier disengagement, reduced sourcing from regions associated with risks of forced labour, and adverse impacts on vulnerable workers and communities.

Bringing together representatives from civil society, frontline organisations, consultancies, multistakeholder initiatives, and business, the session will highlight practical experiences and emerging lessons from different sectors and country contexts.

Key questions

1. How can forced labour import bans empower victims of forced labour and their legitimate representatives, including civil society organisations and worker groups, in local contexts?

2. How do import bans change incentives and behaviours for suppliers, manufacturers, and global buyers?

3. What considerations should governments and enforcement authorities take into account to ensure rights-based and effective implementation?

Who should attend?

We welcome representatives from civil society and trade unions, companies, and governments.

What participants will gain

This session will help identify what responsible and effective development and implementation of forced labour import bans looks like from the perspective of affected workers and communities in the Asia-Pacific region and surface ideas on how enforcement approaches and company responses can avoid unintended negative consequences, including irresponsible disengagement.