Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Nearly 1 out of every 10 children in the world – 160 million – toil in child labor. More than 27 million adults and children are trapped in forced labor. Our reporting can help, raising awareness of over 200 goods produced with child or forced labor and featuring 1900 suggested actions for governments to end child labor. Empower yourself with knowledge! Learn more about our resources and tools to combat child labor and forced labor worldwide. https://bit.ly/3OitYxW

We’re wrapping up an action-packed two weeks of learning and exchange with 13 labor leaders from Brazil who represent workers across a range of sectors, including clothing, footwear, construction and agroindustry. Top highlights from the trip include: a deep dive into U.S. and Brazil labor history, training in how U.S. unions operate, an evening at the Brazilian embassy, dialogue with key U.S. labor leaders and meetings with ILAB, including Associate Deputy Undersecretary Mark Mittelhauser. Thanks to the Solidarity Center, Florida International University, Brazil’s Escola DIEESE de Ciências do Trabalho, The Catholic University of America, and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union for making this exchange so fulfilling!

There is more to the coffee and sugar in your favorite drink than a quick pick-me-up. The ice-cold truth? These goods are often linked to child labor or forced labor. ☕ Coffee: Tied to child labor and forced labor. 🍬 Sugar: Often harvested under conditions of child labor and forced labor. Learn more about the hidden cost of your favorite beverages and how we can work toward more ethical practices: https://bit.ly/2Nyv3CD

For over a decade, Argentine blueberries were linked to child labor. Thanks to rigorous multi-stakeholder collaboration, child labor is being eradicated from the blueberry fields of Tucumán, Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires. Key highlights from our 2024 reports: • 12 blueberry companies, representing over 50% of exported production, are implementing a robust social compliance system. • Continuous monitoring by independent auditors ensures compliance. • Successful collaboration between the government, industry groups, and civil society. • Robust coordination and referral mechanisms, along with strong community-led social protection services. Access our latest reports to discover more about how we can continue to fight child labor: https://lnkd.in/eEFjvdVa

The department’s Consular Partnership Program collaborates with foreign consulates to ensure foreign workers understand their labor rights, while educating employers on their legal responsibilities. We already have partnerships with Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Colombia. Today, we’re thrilled to sign an agreement expanding this vital program to the Philippines. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hhv89s

Today, the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force announced the addition of 37 entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, marking the largest single expansion of the list to date. This is a big win for the U.S. and global human rights, ensuring goods made with forced labor in China do not cross our borders. As an active and critical member of the task force, ILAB is committed to contributing and leveraging our expertise to support our partner U.S. government agencies to address labor rights abuses in global supply chains. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3DY9Dw0 #UFLPA

ILAB is now on Threads! We plan to broaden the conversation there on labor rights worldwide and have a little fun while we’re at it! Follow us and stay up to date on all platforms with what we are doing to meet our mission: https://bit.ly/40xIlFe

"Lasting change comes about when the balance of power changes – when workers can form their own democratic, independent organizations and raise their collective voices, both at the bargaining table and in the political arena. American workers and businesses are stronger when they aren’t in competition with workers whose rights are trampled. I am proud that we have used the resources, leverage and voice of the U.S. government toward this end – and I hope that others will build on this work in the years to come." - Thea Lee. Learn more about the progress we have achieved for the world's workers in our deputy undersecretary's blog: https://bit.ly/40u57hr

What makes a good job? We asked employers, government officials and labor leaders across the Northern Central American region to reflect on what makes for a good job, the benefits of goods jobs for inclusive economic development, and how to expand opportunities in the region. Check out their answers! Around the world, we’re working with our partners in the private sector, public sector and labor to advance good jobs that support workers and grow inclusive economies.

On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we confront an uncomfortable truth: forced labor may be closer to home than you think. Our research reveals significant trafficking risks throughout global supply chains that touch our daily lives. It’s on all of us — governments, businesses and individuals — to confront this injustice and work toward a future free of exploitation. Consider this: 🚗 The car in your driveway or the phone in your hand may contain aluminum from China's Xinjiang region, where Uyghur workers face forced labor through state-sponsored labor transfer programs. 🍫 That chocolate bar in your pantry? It may contain cocoa harvested using forced child labor in Côte d'Ivoire or Nigeria, supporting major chocolate manufacturers worldwide. 👕 The clothes you're wearing may have been sewn in Argentina or India by workers experiencing forced labor. By sharing these findings, we help companies identify risks in their supply chains and support governments in strengthening labor protections. But, change also starts with informed consumers like you. Awareness is the first step toward change. Learn how to identify trafficking risks in the products you use every day: https://bit.ly/4h5UeYA