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ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

The ILO Forced Labour Convention (C029) requires countries to eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labour, except in specific cases like military service or emergencies. It aims to protect workers from coercion and ensure voluntary employment.

What You Need to Know

Date of Adoption
28-Jun-30

Scope
The Convention aims to suppress forced or compulsory labour in all its forms.

The following are not considered forced labour under the Convention (Article 2.2):

(a) compulsory military service,
(b) normal civic obligations,
(c) penal labour under state supervision,
(d) work in emergencies (war, disasters, epidemics),
(e) minor communal services in the community’s interest. 

Global applicability
Open to ratification by all ILO Member States, the Convention has achieved near-universal coverage. To date, only six countries have not ratified: Afghanistan, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the United States.

More about this regulations

International due diligence instruments referenced
Company Size
Material / commodity focus
Geografical focus

Issued by

International Labour Organization

Reviewed on September 3, 2025 by

Isadora Costa

EIT RawMaterials
Senior Project Officer Responsible Sourcing at EIT RawMaterials

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