Child labour, forced labour and human trafficking
Switzerland is taking action to combat child labour, forced labour and human trafficking.
Combating child labour
Switzerland is actively engaged internationally in the fight against child labour. It ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1997 and ILO Conventions No 138 and No 182 in 1999 and 2000 respectively, establishing its commitment to the core international standards in this area. Switzerland is represented at global conferences on the elimination of child labour by SECO's International Labour Affairs unit (DAIN), strengthening international cooperation and driving collective action.
Combating forced labour and human trafficking
Switzerland has ratified ILO Convention No 29 on Forced Labour (1930), Convention No 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) and the 2014 Protocol to Convention No 29. Among other things, the Protocol requires that measures to combat forced labour include specific action against human trafficking for labour exploitation purposes.
Human trafficking for labour exploitation is a criminal offence in Switzerland, defined as recruiting or trading in people to exploit their labour.
The National Action Plan to Fight Human Trafficking provides a coherent framework for federal action in this area. Under the NAP, SECO is running an awareness campaign targeting labour inspectors and labour market supervisory inspectors, who – through their inspection work – have detailed knowledge of businesses and play an important role in identifying potential victims.
SECO's Labour Directorate has published a guide for inspectors, covering indicators for identifying potential victims, the steps to follow when human trafficking is suspected, the legal basis for reporting to the competent authorities, and a list of victim support centres.
SECO also organises cantonal and regional information workshops for inspectors and other stakeholders, including the social partners.
Switzerland's membership of Alliance 8.7
Alliance 8.7 is a global partnership committed to achieving SDG Target 8.7 of the UN 2030 Agenda, which calls on states to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and end child labour in all its forms. The platform, launched in 2016, aims to build knowledge and strengthen cooperation. Switzerland joined as a partner country on 1 April 2021.
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Contact
Labour Directorate
International Labour Affairs
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern