Forced labour... In France too? Let's make the invisible visible

Forced labour… In France too? Let’s make the invisible visible

Published on May 04, 2016

As part of the National Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade, Slavery and their Abolition, the Toulouse City Council in partnership with the NGO Human Resources Without Borders (RHSF) and the Committee Against Modern Slavery (CCEM) is organising an exhibition of drawings and a conference-debate on forced labour: Forced labour… in France too? Let’s make the invisible visible

From 26 April to 14 May 2016: Exhibition “Behind the barcode” to fight against forced labour!

Poster for the exhibition and conference "Forced labour... in France too ? Let's make the invisible visible".

Tuesday 10 May 2016 at 8pm: Conference-Debate: Forced labour also exists in France, it can be combated.

On 10 March 2016, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) released its report on forced labour. In this study, it considers that France does not devote enough resources to the fight against trafficking and exploitation of human beings. The most vulnerable are, in fact, victims of modern slavery (exploitation of minors, sexual exploitation, forced labour in clandestine textile workshops…).

Slavery still exists in France, Europe and worldwide: 21 million people are victims of forced labour, 7% of them live in Europe and 80,000 in France (source: CNCDH). It is possible to fight against this scourge! Martine Combemale, Director of Human Resources Without Borders and Mona Chamass Saunier, Director of the Committee Against Modern Slavery (CCEM) will give some food for thought and action to combat it.

Practical information – Conference-debate “Forced labour also exists in France, it can be combated” on Tuesday 10 May 2016 at 8pm.
Espace diversités laïcité, 38 rue d’Aubuisson – 31000 Toulouse. Metro: Jean-Jaurès or François Verdier. Free admission (auditorium) within the limit of 143 places available.

In order to raise awareness among citizens, consumers and businesses, RHSF has also published a practical guide on forced labour, in partnership with the Federation of Human Rights at Work. This is a living document, which can be enriched with free contributions from consumers, trade unions, organisations and buyers. It operates in a question-and-answer format and highlights different themes (child labour, the subcontracting chain, etc.). It gives everyone the tools to take effective action against forced labour on a daily basis.

View the guide

In addition, since February 2016, RHSF has also been offering an educational booklet on forced labour for schools (in partnership with La ligue de l’enseignement and the Toulouse City Council) to accompany the exhibition of drawings, produced in partnership with Plantu, against forced labour and initiated by RHSF.