Tackling Forced Labor in Authoritarian Contexts

For decades, rights activists and organizations have been largely powerless when confronting isolated and abusive regimes over the issue of forced labor.

Forced labor is a global problem and, in most contexts, one involving the private sector or criminal networks. But there are some cases where the state itself is responsible—as in Burma, or Uzbekistan—and in these cases the response needs to be different.

Open Society Fellow Richard Horsey will be in Brussels to share his perspective on a rare success story: the International Labour Organization's efforts to persuade the government of Burma to amend some of its harsh labor policies.

Horsey, a former ILO representative in Burma, will describe how the ILO engaged with the Burmese regime over the issue of forced labor, and  discuss the lessons that can be drawn from this case to enable the international community to deal more effectively with isolated authoritarian regimes.