Forced Labour

Brazil Updates Slave Labour 'Dirty List' With 169 New Employers

In April 2026, Brazil’s Ministry of Labour updated its public ‘dirty list’ of employers found to have used slave‑like labour conditions, adding 169 new entries and removing 225 after final administrative decisions, for a total of around 613 listed employers. This enlarges the pool of companies and individuals facing serious ESG and human‑rights scrutiny in Brazil – including high‑profile names such as BYD and Amado Batista – under a 2024 ordinance that ties listing to significant financial, remediation and due‑diligence commitments, raising counterparty and reputational risk for business partners and investors.

10 Apr 2026, 13:17g1.globo.comBrazil

Netherlands Issues 2025 Progress Letter on National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights

The Netherlands has advanced its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, integrating EU CSDDD and Forced Labour Regulation requirements into national policy and procurement. Businesses must anticipate heightened due diligence scrutiny to maintain eligibility for public contracts and government support, particularly regarding high-risk imports and conflict-zone operations.

4 Apr 2026, 11:51open.overheid.nlNetherlands

South Africa Labour Department And Parliamentary Committee Expose Labour And Immigration Violations In Newcastle Textile Factories

South African authorities conducted a multi-agency enforcement blitz in February 2026, uncovering systemic labor, safety, and immigration violations across textile manufacturing sites. This intensified enforcement signals heightened supply chain scrutiny for retailers, emphasizing the urgent need for robust human rights due diligence and supplier oversight to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

4 Apr 2026, 10:56labour.gov.zaSouth Africa

China MOFCOM Launches Two Trade Barrier Investigations Into US Supply-Chain And Green-Product Measures

China's Ministry of Commerce has launched two trade-barrier investigations into US supply chain and green-product measures as of March 2026. This retaliatory move signals escalating trade tensions that could lead to Chinese countermeasures affecting high-tech exports, green energy investments, and global supply chain stability.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29mofcom.gov.cnChinaUnited States

Egypt Labour Ministry Issues Decree Banning Employment of Children Under 15 and Tightening Hazardous Work Rules

Egypt has issued Ministerial Decree No. 50/2026, banning child labour under 15 and imposing strict limits on working hours and hazardous tasks for minors. Companies operating in or sourcing from Egypt must immediately audit recruitment and supply chain practices to mitigate legal and ESG risks related to forced labour and occupational safety.

31 Mar 2026, 19:47english.ahram.org.egEgypt

Australia Anti-Slavery Commissioner Urges Stronger Modern Slavery Due Diligence Under EU Forced Labour Rules

The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner has warned that the Australia-EU FTA will subject exporters to intensified scrutiny under the EU’s Forced Labour Regulation and CSDDD. Companies must strengthen supply chain due diligence and transparency to mitigate market access risks as global enforcement of forced labour bans expands.

28 Mar 2026, 09:36antislaverycommissioner.gov.auAustraliaEuropean Union

US State Department Publishes 2025 Global Magnitsky Sanctions Annual Report

The US State Department released its 2025 Global Magnitsky report, detailing enforcement actions against 744 designated persons for human rights abuses and corruption. The report highlights the growing use of coordinated international sanctions and visa restrictions, signaling a need for enhanced supply chain transparency and partner due diligence.

27 Mar 2026, 08:06federalregister.govUnited StatesBrazilMyanmar (Burma)HungaryAustraliaCanadaEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom

Amnesty Urges ILO Governing Body Not To Dismiss Saudi Migrant Labour Complaint

Amnesty International is urging the ILO Governing Body to reject Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss a major migrant labor abuse complaint during its March/April 2026 session. This development signals heightened ESG and human rights due diligence risks for companies with operations or supply chains in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding forced labor and labor rights compliance.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24amnesty.orgSaudi ArabiaGlobal

UK DSIT Publishes Procurement Policy For Goods, Services And Works

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published its procurement policy, operationalizing the Procurement Act 2023 and setting clear ESG expectations for suppliers. Businesses must prepare for mandatory social value weightings, carbon reduction reporting, and rigorous modern slavery due diligence to maintain eligibility for DSIT contracts.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UN CESCR Urges Australia To Adopt Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence for Businesses

The UN CESCR has formally recommended that Australia enact mandatory human rights due diligence (mHRDD) and introduce penalties for modern slavery reporting failures. This increases the likelihood of legislative reform to the Modern Slavery Act, shifting corporate obligations from transparency-based reporting to active risk mitigation and enforcement.

24 Mar 2026, 09:00docstore.ohchr.orgAustralia

UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Calls for New Forced Labour Law With Import Ban Powers

The UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has proposed a new legislative framework introducing mandatory human rights due diligence and powers to ban imports linked to forced labour. This signals a shift from transparency-based reporting to strict corporate liability, requiring businesses to align UK supply chain oversight with emerging EU and US enforcement standards.

22 Mar 2026, 17:03antislaverycommissioner.co.ukUnited Kingdom

OECD Publishes 2026 Peer Review of Netherlands National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct

OECD's 2026 peer review of the Dutch National Contact Point (NCP) reinforces its role as a key mediator and authority for responsible business conduct (RBC) in the Netherlands. While not creating new laws, the review signals a push for stricter case-handling and closer alignment between OECD Guidelines and mandatory EU due diligence frameworks like CSDDD and CSRD.

22 Mar 2026, 10:13oecd.orgNetherlands

EFRAG Issues Comment Letter to GRI on Workers’ Rights Standards and ESRS Interoperability

EFRAG has formally called for closer alignment between GRI’s new labour standards and the EU’s ESRS framework to ensure reporting interoperability. This signals a move toward harmonized global disclosure requirements, particularly regarding human rights and the treatment of non-employee workers across the supply chain.

21 Mar 2026, 16:48efrag.orgEuropean UnionGlobal

Brazil Labour Prosecutors Reach R$40 Million Settlement With BYD Over Exploitation of Chinese Workers

Brazilian authorities secured a R$40 million settlement with BYD in late 2025 to resolve allegations of forced labor and human trafficking at a factory construction site. This enforcement action highlights the increasing legal and reputational risks associated with global labor supply chains and the necessity for rigorous human rights due diligence in capital projects.

19 Mar 2026, 19:06prt5.mpt.mp.brBrazilHungaryChina

US Trade Representative Initiates Section 301 Forced Labour Investigations Covering 60 Economies

The USTR has launched 60 Section 301 investigations into the forced labor enforcement practices of major trading partners, with public hearings scheduled for April 2026. This signals a significant escalation in US trade enforcement that could lead to new tariffs or market access restrictions for goods from high-risk jurisdictions.

18 Mar 2026, 16:08ustr.govUnited States

USTR Initiates Section 301 Forced Labor Investigations Into Imports From 60 Economies

The U.S. Trade Representative has initiated Section 301 investigations into 60 economies for failing to enforce forced labor import bans, with hearings set for April 2026. This signals a major expansion of U.S. trade enforcement that could result in broad new tariffs or import restrictions, necessitating immediate supply chain risk assessments.

18 Mar 2026, 12:15federalregister.govUnited States

China MOFCOM Responds to USTR Section 301 Investigation on Forced Labour Products

China's MOFCOM formally condemned the US USTR's March 2026 launch of a Section 301 investigation into forced labor as discriminatory protectionism. This escalation signals heightened geopolitical risk for global supply chains, with potential for retaliatory trade measures or increased scrutiny on forced labor compliance.

17 Mar 2026, 20:10mofcom.gov.cnChinaUnited States

UK Government To End Funding for Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Programme From April 2026

The UK Government will terminate dedicated funding for the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime (MSOIC) Programme in April 2026, transitioning enforcement to standard policing. While legal obligations remain unchanged, the shift from centralized specialist oversight to decentralized local enforcement may lead to inconsistent investigative outcomes and altered risk profiles for supply chain compliance.

14 Mar 2026, 08:35questions-statements.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Comitology Committee To Vote On Forced Labour Regulation ICSMS Module Implementing Act (16 March 2026)

EU authorities will vote on March 16, 2026, to establish the digital infrastructure required to enforce the Forced Labour Products Regulation. This move signals the transition to operational enforcement, requiring businesses to prepare for intensified digital oversight and cross-border coordination by market surveillance authorities.

12 Mar 2026, 09:50ec.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Publishes Report on Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Through Adult Services Websites

The UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has called for urgent regulatory reform and platform accountability to combat sexual exploitation on adult services websites. Digital platforms and advertising services face heightened legal risk as proposed amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill seek to criminalize profiting from online exploitation.

6 Mar 2026, 09:52antislaverycommissioner.co.ukUnited Kingdom